REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
About Two Hundred and Fifty vulnerable Elderly persons in Abia state have benefited two hundred thousand Naira each from the third Edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme of the wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event organised at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia Umuahia, with the theme “Finding Joy in Old Age”, the wife of the President said the scheme was targeted at vulnerable senior citizens aged 65 years and above.
The First Lady, who was represented by the Wife of Abia Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, explained that the programme would be replicated across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory ,FCT.
According to Senator Tinubu Oluremi she said that beneficiaries were drawn from veterans in the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association.
While noting that the direct financial support was to ease economic hardship and improve their quality of life, Mrs Tinubu explained that the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) approved a total disbursement of N910 million, with N50 million allocated to each state, including the FCT, to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.
She noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative had become an annual intervention since 2023, aimed at restoring dignity, care and social inclusion for senior citizens.
Senator Tinubu urged beneficiaries to remain active and engaged in their communities, adding that ageing with joy depended on good health, meaningful relationships and continued contribution to society.
In her speech, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix while describing the scheme as a deliberate effort to support and dignify senior citizens noted that the programme provided an opportunity to reaffirm government’s commitment to the welfare of the elderly.
In his remarks, the Facilitator of the Abia Senior Citizens Center, Mr Oti Nwaka, appreciated the First Lady of Nigeria for providing the gifts and Mrs Priscilla Otti for ensuring that the gestures get to senior citizens.
He appealed to the organisers of the programme to consider extending future editions of the scheme to sick or bedridden elderly persons unable to leave their homes, noting that such inclusion would give them a greater sense of belonging.
In separate interviews, Elder Kingsley Obah from Arochukwu, Madam Chineme Njoku from Bende and Mrs Nene Isiuwa all expressed gratitude to the wife of the President and Mrs Priscilla Otti for putting smiles on their faces these festive periods.
Correspondent Peace Agbo reports that the beneficiaries all went home with quarter bags of rice, Tomatoes, Cash gifts and Renew Hope uniforms.
