BENIN CITY—The Edo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, has disbursed N50 million to 250 elderly persons under the third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS).
The disbursement, which took place at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, saw each beneficiary receive a cash grant of N200,000.
Speaking on behalf of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Coordinator, Office of the Edo State First Lady and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, said the scheme was designed to support vulnerable senior citizens and promote dignified ageing.
She explained that RHIESS is a social investment programme initiated by Senator Tinubu to assist elderly Nigerians aged 65 years and above, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of senior citizens.
The programme, themed “Finding Joy in Old Age,” was also used to highlight the national scope of the initiative. Senator Tinubu noted that the scheme cuts across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, and also includes veterans from the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association.
According to her, a total of 9,500 beneficiaries nationwide are to receive N200,000 each, bringing the overall disbursement to N1.9 billion, as approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She added that since the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2023, senior citizens have been celebrated annually in December under the scheme, in recognition of their contributions to national development.
The First Lady urged elderly Nigerians to remain active and healthy, engage in community and charitable activities, and embrace ageing with purpose, love and dignity.
In a goodwill message, the wife of the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Nimata Umar Ikhilor, said the care and support given to elderly citizens reflected societal progress, describing them as a blessing to their communities.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Special Duties, Mrs. Betty Okonoboh, commended the First Lady of Nigeria and the Office of the Edo State First Lady for sustaining the initiative and honouring senior citizens in the state.
The event also featured health talks by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Andrew Iyamu, and the Managing Director, Edo State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Anthonia Njoku, alongside medical outreach services.
Some beneficiaries, including Mrs. Agnes Ahamentalor, Mr. George Abulimen and Mrs. Pius Victoria, expressed gratitude for the support, describing the grant as timely and impactful, while offering prayers for the continued success of the administration.
