Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disbursed ₦200,000 each to 250 vulnerable persons and senior citizens aged 65 years and above in Ebonyi State under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Elder Support Scheme.
The cash support was presented at the Banquet Hall of the Old Government House in Abakaliki, as part of the RHI Social Investment Programme aimed at improving the welfare and living conditions of elderly Nigerians.
Speaking through the wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru, Senator Tinubu explained that the initiative targets 250 elderly beneficiaries in each of the 36 states of the federation, bringing the total number of beneficiaries nationwide to 9,500. The programme also extends to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as defence and police veterans.
According to her, the intervention received approval from the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative, with each state allocated ₦50 million for the scheme, including the FCT and the BOWA category. She stressed that the support is particularly timely as the festive season approaches, noting the importance of prioritising senior citizens who have contributed immensely to national development.
“The third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elder Support Scheme reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that older citizens live with dignity, joy and a sense of belonging in a nation that truly values them,” she said.
Senator Tinubu added that since the inception of the current administration in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has consistently celebrated elderly Nigerians every December in recognition of their lifelong service and sacrifices.
She encouraged beneficiaries to embrace joy, remain active, and find purpose within their communities, noting that ageing gracefully goes beyond longevity to include love, care and respect.
Also speaking at the event, the wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, represented by the team lead of Better Health for Rural Women, Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), Prof. Nkechi Echiagu, commended the initiative for positively impacting lives across the state.
She described the programme as one that has “added life to the years” of elderly residents in Ebonyi, urging beneficiaries to remain hopeful and joyful despite challenges.
“The elderly are not forgotten. This initiative reminds them that they are valued, loved and supported. We pray this programme continues and touches even more lives,” she said.
The Renewed Hope Initiative continues to serve as a key social intervention platform of the Tinubu administration, focusing on vulnerable groups, women, children and the elderly across Nigeria.
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