● Of that number, 350 elderly citizens in Rivers State share a total sum of N70m

By PHC Telegraph

As the year 2024 draws to a close and the nation prepares to celebrate Christmas and the forthcoming new year, no less than 9,250 elderly Nigerians have approximately received a total of N1.9 billion.

A breakdown of the figures shows that a total of 250 elderly citizens in every state in the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, covered by the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme, RHIESS, are taking home the sum of two hundred thousand naira each.

According to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, it is the second time that 250 elderly citizens, aged 65 and above in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have benefited from the scheme.

The President’s wife disclosed that those captured by the scheme meant for the elderly include veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).

 

Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the First Lady stated that the programme is designed to support the welfare of elderly citizens annually.

The First Lady of Rivers State, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, who stood in for Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the governing board of the Renewed Hope Initiative decided to increase the grant from N100,000 in 2023 to N200,000 this year in a bid to further provide support to elderly citizens during the festive season.

Lady Valerie Fubara urged the beneficiaries to prioritize their health by feeding well, staying hydrated, exercising, and getting adequate rest.

She revealed that the 250 beneficiaries in the State will receive the sum of N200,000 each under the second phase of the scheme.

 

Fubara’s Addition Of 100 Beneficiaries:

The Rivers First Lady also explained that her husband, Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed that the number of beneficiaries in the State should be raised from 250 to 350.

She stated that the inclusion 100 additional beneficiaries by the Governor was intended to support the gesture by the First Lady of Nigeria.

Whereas the 250 beneficiaries initially penciled down were to receive the sum of N50,000,000, the inclusion of 100 additional persons has brought the total sum disbursed in the State to N70million.

Lady Valerie Fubara announced that the Rivers State Office of the Renewed Hope Initiative will reward eight persons who participated in the “Every Home a Garden Competition” from Rivers State, emphasising that the best overall entry would be rewarded with the sum of N1million while the other seven victorious entries will receive N250,000 each.

Also speaking, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu, expressed deep  appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Lady Valerie Fubara for extending a hand of fellowship to the elderly, and urged Rivers beneficiaries to pray for the success of the State Government.

In her welcome remark, State Coordinator, Renewed Hope Initiative, Hon Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, thanked Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara for always complementing the efforts of the First Lady of Nigeria by providing additional medical and financial support to increase the number of beneficiaries of the scheme at the State level.

The event, with the theme: “TOTAL WELLNESS: Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Lifestyle” also featured free medical check-ups for the beneficiaries.