The First Lady of Niger State, Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, has commended the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) for its sustained commitment to the welfare and dignity of elderly citizens following the implementation of the Third Edition of the Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), themed “Finding Joy in Old Age.”
The Niger State component of the programme was attended on behalf of the First Lady by Mrs. Mary Noel-Berje, who stood in for Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago and also represented Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Speaking during the programme, Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that the Elderly Support Scheme reflects the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to ensuring that senior citizens live with dignity, comfort, and joy in a nation that cares for its people.
Since the inception of the present administration in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made it a tradition to celebrate senior citizens annually every December, as part of efforts to honour their invaluable roles in nation-building across the country.
Under the Third Edition of the RHI Elderly Support Scheme, a total of 9,500 vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 years and above are benefiting nationwide. This includes 250 beneficiaries from Niger State and 250 beneficiaries from each of the 36 states of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory, as well as veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA). Each beneficiary received the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000).
The Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative approved a total sum of One Billion, Nine Hundred Million Naira (₦1.9 billion) for disbursement under the scheme, with ₦50 million allocated to each state, including the Federal Capital Territory and DEPOWA.
Commending the programme, the First Lady of Niger State described the initiative as a compassionate intervention that aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and complements the people-centred policies of the Niger State Government under Farmer Governor, His Excellency Umaru Mohammed Bago.
According to her, caring for the elderly remains both a moral responsibility and a true measure of a society’s humanity. “Our elderly citizens are the custodians of our values and the builders of the foundations we stand on today. Supporting them is not charity; it is a duty,” she stated.
She further reaffirmed the commitment of her office to partnering with federal initiatives that strengthen social protection systems and promote dignity for senior citizens across Niger State. The event was attended by wives of principal officers, senior government officials, programme coordinators, and other guests, reflecting a shared commitment to compassion and inclusion nationwide.
