Two hundred and fifty vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 years and above in Anambra State have received ₦200,000 each from the Federal Government.
The disbursement was under the third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), themed “Finding Joy in Old Age.”
The presentation took place at the Government House, Awka, where the Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, represented the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), alongside elderly citizens from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also benefited from the scheme, bringing the total number of beneficiaries nationwide to 9,500 across the 36 states and the FCT.
In an address read by Mrs Soludo, Senator Tinubu disclosed that a total sum of ₦1.9 billion had been approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative for disbursement under the scheme.
She explained that each state, including the FCT and DEPOWA, would receive ₦50 million.
According to the First Lady, the social investment programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that elderly citizens live with dignity, comfort, and joy in a country that genuinely values their contributions.
Tradition of celebrating elders
She noted that since the inception of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made it a tradition to celebrate senior citizens every December, in recognition of their role in nation-building.
Senator Tinubu added that the initiative serves as an expression of gratitude to older Nigerians who laboured to build the nation, urging governments at all levels to continue prioritising the welfare of senior citizens, especially during the festive season.
She encouraged the elderly to find joy and purpose in old age through community, compassion, and care, while also advising them to remain healthy and active.
Some beneficiaries, including Chief Ilechukwu Ugboaja, Professor Chigbo Okolo, and Mrs Chimezie Okigbo, commended the First Lady for the initiative and expressed appreciation to Mrs Nonye Soludo for ensuring that the funds reached beneficiaries in full.
Meanwhile, Radio Nigeria Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that Mrs Soludo also used the occasion to distribute additional support items, including bundles of wrappers, bags of rice, and other relief materials, to complement the financial assistance provided under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
