By Isaiah Eka, Sunday John
Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, presented N200,000 each to no fewer than 250 elderly people in Akwa Ibom.
Speaking at the event in Uyo, Tinubu said that the gesture was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment programme.
Represented by Mrs Helen Obareki, the president’s wife said that since the inception of the current administration, the RHI had made it a tradition to celebrate senior citizens.
“This gesture is a recognition of the invaluable contributions of these categories of people to nation building. Through this scheme, we have continued to express our gratitude and care for the men and women who laboured to build this country.
“As we approach the festive season, it is crucial to give priority attention to the elderly through this Initiative,” she said.
The president’s wife further stated that the senior citizens had walked difficult paths for the younger generations to have a better quality of life.
“It is therefore our moral duty to ensure that they live their twilight years in comfort, good health, and dignity,” she said.
She urged the elderly in the society to be deliberate about finding joy in old age, saying, “aging is not just about longevity, but about being happy, loved, supported, and respected,” she said.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Abasiama Idiong, thanked the first lady for the gesture, describing it as a show of love and honour to old people.
In the sme vein, Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu also empowered no fewer than 250 elderly persons in Nasarawa State with N50 million under her Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS).
Speaking at the disbursement exercise on Tuesday in Lafia, Tinubu said each beneficiary received N200,000 to enhance their wellbeing and enable them to enjoy life in old age.
The first lady, represented by Mrs Shela Tosan-Akabe, wife of the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, said the intervention underscored her commitment to the welfare of senior citizens.
She explained that the scheme was designed to support elderly persons aged 65 years and above across the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as well as veterans under the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
According to her, the initiative is being implemented simultaneously nationwide, with each state, the FCT and DEPOWA receiving N50 million, bringing the total to N1.9 billion.
Tinubu noted that the programme aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, which seeks inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no segment of society was left behind.
She recalled that, in the last two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative had supported over 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, with direct financial grants to boost their enterprises.
The first lady stressed the need to prioritise the welfare of elderly citizens, particularly during the festive season, to enable them to live with dignity and joy.
“They have walked difficult paths so that younger generations may have smoother roads to travel. It is our responsibility to make life worthwhile for them at this stage,” she said.
She advised the beneficiaries to seek joy and purpose in old age through community, compassion and mutual care, adding that old age should be defined by love, support and respect, rather than mere longevity.
In her remarks, Haj. Silifat Sule, Wife of Nasarawa governor, thanked the first lady for her compassion and commitment to the welfare of vulnerable groups.
Sule, who was represented by Sa’adatu Yahaya, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Scholarship Board, said the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the 13 local government areas of the state.
She urged them to utilise the funds judiciously to improve their wellbeing and support their families.
