No fewer than 250 vulnerable elderly persons aged 65 years and above in Ondo State have received the sum of ₦200,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme of the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The empowerment exercise, the third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme, RHIESS, was held under the theme “Finding Joy in Old Age.”
Represented by the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, Senator Tinubu said that since the inception of the present government in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative had been supporting elderly citizens every December in recognition of their immense contributions to national development.
According to her: “This scheme is to support 250 vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the FCT and Veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
“A total of N1.9 billion will be disbursed across the nation. As we approach the festive season, it is crucial to emphasise the importance of prioritising our elderly citizens in our initiatives. They have walked difficult paths so that the younger generations may have smooth 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.
Senator Tinubu disclosed that the programme reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring that senior citizens live with dignity, comfort, and happiness.
Speaking on the theme of the programme, “Finding Joy in Old Age,” the Wife of the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Abosede Adelami, advised elderly persons to take personal responsibility for their health and wellbeing rather than waiting solely on their children for care.
Mrs. Adelami who observed that the elderly support programme was the first of its kind thanked the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his wife Oluwaseun for caring for the state citizens.
While urging the elderly to see old age as a blessing, she appealed to them to prepare for old age, prioritise their health and be mindful of what they eat.
Her words: “The best way to enjoy your old age is to embrace it with happiness. We should check our vitals regularly, exercise and rest.”
In a remark, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Oluwaseun Osamaye enjoined beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that no vulnerable group was left unattended.
Also speaking , The Wife of Akure South Local Government Chairman, Mrs. Abosede Fasua, also congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use the money to benefit their overall health.
Two of the beneficiaries, Pastor Iyabode Ogunleye-Aladejana and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alade, expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing the financial support as timely.
