The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), with a total disbursement of over ₦1.9 billion to support vulnerable senior citizens across the country.
The programme was inaugurated on Tuesday in Maiduguri, Borno State, where the First Lady described the initiative as a compassionate social investment aimed at ensuring that elderly Nigerians live with dignity, comfort and happiness. She was represented at the event by the wife of the Borno State Governor, Her Excellency, Associate Professor Falmata Babagana Umara.
Senator Tinubu noted that since the establishment of the Renewed Hope Initiative in 2023, senior citizens have been celebrated every December in recognition of their immense contributions to national development.
Under the 2025 edition of the scheme, a total of 9,500 vulnerable senior citizens aged 65 years and above across the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as beneficiaries from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), will each receive ₦200,000. This brings the total disbursement to ₦1.9 billion, with ₦50 million allocated to each state, including the FCT and DEPOWA, as approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
In Borno State, beneficiaries are also receiving 50kg bags of rice to further ease their welfare during the festive season.
“As we approach the festive season, it is important that we continue to prioritise our elderly citizens. They walked difficult paths so that the younger generations could enjoy smoother roads,” the First Lady said, stressing that caring for senior citizens is both a moral duty and a source of collective joy.
Earlier, the Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, expressed appreciation to state governments, Renewed Hope Initiative coordinators and development partners for their sustained support, while offering prayers for the health and well-being of Nigeria’s elderly population.
Meanwhile, the Wife of the Gombe State Governor, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to elderly welfare at the third edition of RHIESS held on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Gombe.
Speaking at the event themed “Finding Joy in Old Age,” Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya described the scheme as a vital social investment that underscores collective responsibility towards senior citizens. She said the initiative, championed nationally by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, reflects a strong resolve to ensure elderly Nigerians live their later years with dignity, care and joy.
She noted that Gombe State remains committed to aligning with the Renewed Hope Initiative while strengthening local efforts to support elderly persons across communities.
In her welcome address, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisation, Fini David, commended the initiative as a timely intervention rooted in compassion, inclusiveness and purposeful leadership, while applauding the First Lady of Gombe State for her consistent advocacy for women, the elderly and vulnerable groups.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the APC Women Leader, Hajiya Lumbi Abubakar, and the Wife of the Commissioner for Agriculture, Binta Barnabas Malle, who praised the First Lady of Nigeria for her compassion-driven leadership and urged beneficiaries to make good use of the support.
The event also featured the presentation of prizes to winners of the Every Home a Garden competition at the state level, as beneficiaries were wished a peaceful festive season and renewed hope for the year ahead.
