By Prosper Mene
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has extended her Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS) to Ekiti State, empowering 250 vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above with financial grants to enhance their well-being and dignity during the festive season.
Under the third edition of the nationwide programme themed “Finding Joy in Old Age,” each beneficiary in Ekiti received a cash grant of โฆ200,000, contributing to a total disbursement of โฆ50 million in the state. The initiative, which runs simultaneously across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and includes veterans from the Defence and Police Officersโ Wives Association, aims to support 9,500 elderly Nigerians nationwide with a total of โฆ1.9 billion.
Represented by the Wife of the Ekiti State Governor and RHI State Coordinator, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, Senator Tinubu emphasized the scheme’s goal of recognizing the invaluable contributions of senior citizens to nation-building. “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,” she stated in her address.
The First Lady highlighted that since 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made it a tradition to celebrate and support the elderly every December, reassuring them that they are valued and not forgotten. Beneficiaries also received additional support, including food items and health checks in similar programmes across states.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, commended the initiative for complementing his administration’s Shared Prosperity agenda, noting its direct impact on vulnerable groups. Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji expressed gratitude for the gesture, describing it as a timely relief that aligns with efforts to prioritize the welfare of the elderly.
The Renewed Hope Initiative continues to focus on social investment, economic empowerment, health, and inclusion, complementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to uplift all Nigerians.
