Christmas Celebration: Renewed Hope Initiative Disburses N1.9bn Support to Vulnerable Elderly Citizens Across 36 States, FCT

By Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara state First Lady and Chairperson Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, yesterday disclosed that the Renewed Hope Initiative had disbursed a total sum of N1.9 billion to the vulnerable elderly citizens across the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory this year to provide further support for this forthcoming festive season.

Prof. Razaq said this support covered the welfare of two hundred and fifty (250) elderly citizens of ages 65 and above in all 36 states of the federation, Federal capital territory and Veterans from the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA).

Speaking in Ilorin on Tuesday during the 2nd edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme, Prof. AbdulRazaq said the gesture was to raise the hope and aspirations of the elderly people during Christmas period.

Two hundred and fifty vulnerable elderly citizens of Kwara State were also empowered with N200,000 at the event in Ilorin by Prof. AbdulRazaq.

She however lauded the current effort of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for prioritizing the wellbeing of Nigerians through various laudable initiatives.

Prof. AbdulRazaq also commended “the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative for increasing the grant from the sum of one hundred thousand naira (N100,000) which was disbursed last year to two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) this year, which results in the disbursement of a total of One Billion, Nine hundred million (N1,900,000,000) across the nation this year in order to provide further support to the elderly citizens during the festive season”.

Prof. AbdulRazaq, who is also the founder of Ajike Peoples Support Center, noted that there was no doubt that the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS) of the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu had advanced the socio economic development of the well-being of the elderly citizens in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.

Prof. AbdulRazaq explained that Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme of the First Lady which its 2nd edition is themed “Total wellness: Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Lifestyle” is designed to support the welfare of two hundred and fifty (250) elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all 36 states of the federation, Federal capital territory and Veterans from the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA).

The First Lady commended the relentless efforts of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration for seeing to the wellbeing of Kwarans through different social empowerment schemes through KWASSIP such as Owo Arugbo, Owo isowo, etc

She also congratulated all the senior citizens who were selected as beneficiaries and further implored them to always prioritize their health while wishing them a happy celebration of the yuletide season.