RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE (RHI) DISBURSES 50 MILLION NAIRA TO 250 ELDERLY CITIZENS IN AKWA IBOM STATE
The National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative and the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has disbursed 200,000 naira each to 250 elderly citizens in Akwa Ibom State under the second edition of her Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS).
Mrs Helen Eno-Obareki, Coordinator, GIFA
The initiative which falls under the Social Investment Programme of the RHI, is designed to support the welfare of elderly citizens aged 65 and above annually in all the 36 States of the federation, the FCT and DEPOWA, through provision of financial assistance and medical checks.
The programme which had as its theme: Total Wellness: Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Lifestyle held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at Ibom Hall, in sync with other states and the FCT who hosted the event simultaneously.
GIFA Coordinator, Mrs Helen Eno-Obareki addressing beneficiaries of RHIESS at Ibom Hall Uyo
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu who was represented by the First Lady Designate and RHI State Coordinator Mrs Helen Eno Obareki, announced an increase in the grant from 100,000 naira to 200,000 naira to provide support to the elderly citizens and cushion the high costs associated with the festive period.
She urged the beneficiaries to prioritise their health and engage in healthy lifestyle of balanced diet, exercise, drinking water regularly and participating in activities that make them happy.
On her part, the First Lady Designate Mrs Obareki, applauded Governor Umo Eno for introducing another laudable initiative, the “Arise Home Farms” fashioned after the “Every Home a Garden” competition of the RHI and encouraged the senior citizens to participate in the programme by recording and uploading a two minutes video of their home farms to stand a chance of winning 500,000 naira.
In her welcoming remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, acknowledged Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s commitment to the health of the elderly and praised her efforts to empower the aging population by offering free healthcare services and financial assistance.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hon. Emem Edoho from Esit Eket and Deaconess Eme Antung from Ibesikpo Asutan, expressed their appreciation to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her generous support through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which they noted, aligns seamlessly with the ARISE Agenda of the Akwa Ibom State Government.
They equally commended the Coordinator of the First Lady’s office in Akwa Ibom State, for her extraordinary kindness and dedication to the welfare of the elderly, under the “care for the elderly” thematic area of the First Lady’s Golden Initiative for All, GIFA, offering prayers of blessings on her.
The event which featured medical checks, had in attendance the Wife of the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs Enobong Edidem, Wife of Former Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State,Mrs Funmi Idongesit Nkanga, Wife of the Secretary to AKS Government, Dr. Inemesit Uwah, Wife of the Head of the Civil Service, Mrs Uduak Essien, Wife of the State Chairman of PDP, Mrs Unyime Akpan, Former Deputy Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Princess Felicia Bassey, members of LEWA, President and members of WALGON, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Margaret Edem, Coordinator ARISE Initiative for the Elderly AKS Mrs Mercy Ekah and other stakeholders.
Members of the cultural troupe of the Divine Children’s Home had a presentation for the Senior Citizens who returned home buoyed up by the alerts from the RHI facilitated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social welfare.
Media Unit
Office of the First Lady, AKS
December 17, 2024
