Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 250 vulnerable elderly indigents in Anambra State with n200,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Elderly Support Scheme.
The empowerment programme, which was held on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the New Government House, Awka, is the third edition of the initiative themed “Finding joy in old age.”
The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, represented the First Lady at the event and read her address to beneficiaries, noting that the initiatives aimed to promote dignity, well-being and joy among senior citizens.
According to Tinubu, the scheme is designed to support 250 elderly persons aged 65 years and above in each of the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), bringing the total number of beneficiaries nationwide to 9,500.
“This social investment programme embodies our ongoing effort to ensure that our elderly citizens live with dignity and joy, in a nation that genuinely cares for its own,” Tinubu said.
She explained that the N1.9bn earmarked for the scheme nationwide was approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative, with N50m allocated to each state, including the FCT and DEPOWA.
“Through this scheme, we have continued to express our gratitude and care for the men and women who have laboured to build the Nigeria we are all proud to be part of today,” she added.
Tinubu noted that since the inception of the current administration in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made it a tradition to celebrate senior citizens every December in recognition of their contributions to nation-building.
She stressed the need for society to prioritise elderly citizens, especially during the festive season.
“They have walked difficult paths so that the younger generations may have smoother roads to travel. It is therefore our moral duty, and indeed our joy, to ensure that they live their twilight years in comfort, good health and dignity,” she said.
The First Lady also advised beneficiaries to remain purposeful and active, encouraging them to find joy through community engagement, compassion and care.
She also expressed appreciation to state coordinators of the Renewed Hope Initiative and other partners for their support in implementing the programme.
The event followed the launch of an empowerment programme for Persons Living with Disabilities in Anambra by Soludo.
It was launched under the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme, aimed at promoting inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
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