● Tonye Okurumo
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced that 250 elderly citizens, aged 65 and above, across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have benefited from the second phase of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS).
According to Senator Tinubu, a total of N1.9 billion will be disbursed nationwide, including the FCT and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), with each beneficiary receiving N200,000 under the scheme.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Press Unit of Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and made available to GMTNewsng. Speaking during the programme held at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, Senator Tinubu said the initiative aims to annually provide welfare support to the elderly.
Represented by the Rivers State First Lady, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Senator Tinubu stated that the governing board of the Renewed Hope Initiative decided to double the grant from N100,000 in 2023 to N200,000 this year to ensure more impactful support for senior citizens, especially during the festive season.
Organized under the theme “TOTAL WELLNESS: Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous Lifestyle,” Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara encouraged the elderly beneficiaries to prioritize their health. “Eat nutritious food, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and ensure adequate rest for a happy and healthy life,” she advised.
In her address, Lady Valerie Fubara disclosed that 250 elderly citizens in Rivers State would each receive N200,000 under the RHIESS initiative. She further revealed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had directed the inclusion of an additional 100 elderly citizens from Rivers State to complement the efforts of the First Lady of Nigeria. This, she said, raised the total number of beneficiaries in the state to 350 and the total funds disbursed to N70 million.
Lady Fubara also announced that the Rivers State Office of the Renewed Hope Initiative would reward eight individuals who participated in the “Every Home a Garden Competition.” She explained that the best overall entry would receive N1 million, while the remaining seven winners would each be awarded N250,000.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu, expressed gratitude to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Lady Valerie Fubara for their joint commitment to the welfare of the elderly. “Your kindness and generosity have made a difference in the lives of our senior citizens,” she said, while encouraging the beneficiaries to continue praying for the success of the Rivers State Government.
In her welcome remarks, the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Hon. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, commended Lady Valerie Fubara for her consistent support. She noted that Lady Fubara’s decision to provide additional financial and medical support further expanded the number of beneficiaries at the state level.
The event concluded with free medical check-ups for all the beneficiaries, underscoring the theme of total wellness and ensuring that the elderly citizens received immediate healthcare attention.
