Yuletide: First Lady, Remi Tinubu Distributes 200,000 Each To 250 Elderly Citizens In Osun

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has provided financial assistance of N200,000 each to 250 elderly citizens in Osun State.

The third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), themed: “Finding Joy in Old Age”, is a social investment programme embodies the present administration ongoing effort to ensure that elderly citizens live with dignity and joy, in a nation that genuinely cares for its own.

Tinubu who was represented at the programme, held at Osun State Government House, Osogbo, by the Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke, said a total sum One Billion Nine Hundred Million Naira (N1,900,000,000) has been disbursed across the country to support elderly citizens during the festive season by the first lady.

She said the the essence of the programme is to provide succour to the elderly citizens to make them happy and healthy during this festive season.

The First Lady also advised senior citizens to do all that is possible to find joy in old age, urging them to remember that ageing gracefully is not about longevity but about being surrounded by love, support, and respect.

She encouraged them to continue playing their part by staying healthy and active, harping on the need for them to nurture both their body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement.

“Since the inception of this administration in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made it a tradition to celebrate our senior citizens every December, in recognition of their invaluable contributions to nation-building. Through this scheme, we have continued to express our gratitude and care for the men and women who have laboured to build the Nigeria we are all proud to be part of today.

“This scheme is to support Two Hundred and Fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA). These Nine thousand five hundred (9500) selected beneficiaries will receive Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) each.

“The total sum to be disbursed is One Billion Nine Hundred Million Naira (N1,900,000,000) as approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative. Each state of the federation will receive the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000), including FCT and DEPOWA.

“As we approach the festive season, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of prioritizing our elderly citizens in our initiatives. They have walked difficult paths so that the younger generations may have smoother roads to travel. It is therefore our moral duty, and indeed our joy, to ensure that they live their twilight years in comfort, good health, and dignity.

“My advice to our senior citizens is to do all that is possible to find joy in old age, let us also find purpose in community, compassion, and care. Let us remember that ageing gracefully is not just about longevity but about being surrounded by love, support, and respect.

“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active. Nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement. Those of us who are active should continue to engage in charitable work and, in so doing, find joy in helping others”.

Meanwhile, Osun First Lady while charging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money, said out of the N50 million meant for Osun N20 million was given to APC to cater for 100 people making total 250 beneficiaries.

Speaking, Chief Mrs Alice Otunla, commended the First lady for introducing the total Wellness programme for the elderly citizens, saying it will assist the beneficiaries during the festive period.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke during the event thanked the wife of the president and Osun first lady for their kind gesture.