Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a non-governmental humanitarian organisation founded by the wife of Nigeria’s President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has gifted 250 old people in Anambra State one hundred thousand naira each, and other sundries as Christmas gift.
The event, which was part of RHI’s Elders Support Scheme took place at the Governor’s Lodge, Awawbia, Awka, yesterday.
The 250 old people, aged sixty-five and above, were selected from different parts of the state, following strict health, age and economic status criteria for those who are eligible for the programme.
The empowerment programme which is going on in all the thirty-six states of Nigeria, also has members of Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) as beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries were also given free medical checks, the sum of N100,000 each to take care of their personal upkeep, bags of rice and rolls of wrappers.
Presenting the gifts on behalf of the president’s wife, the Anambra State Governor’s wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, who read the Nigeria First Lady’s speech, said that the economic empowerment project was borne out of steadfast commitment to the well-being of the elderly citizens and marks a significant stride in the collective pursuit of a more inclusive and compassionate society.
She noted that as the festive season draws closer, it has become important to emphasise the significance of prioritising the elderly in the initiative, noting that by reaching out to them, their contributions are not only honoured but the unique encounters they face are equally acknowledged.
Senator Tinubu equally urged the elders to embrace life to the fullest, prioritise their health and strengthen their bonds with one another and with God, adding that those are the key to a rich and fulfilling life in their current years.
Two of the beneficiaries, Chief Dim Nnakife and Dame Evelyn Dike, thanked the president’s wife for remembering the poor, and described the gesture as first in the history of the state.
