Over 6,800 families in Rivers State have so far benefited from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), according to the Wife of the Governor of Rivers State, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara.
Lady Fubara disclosed this on Thursday during the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The programme is part of the Social Investments Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, the intervention platform of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event, the Rivers State First Lady said the initiative has gone beyond food distribution and has continued to impact families across the state through scholarships, empowerment programmes, agricultural funding and support for vulnerable residents.
She explained that the programme has provided both local and foreign scholarships for beneficiaries while also supporting women, petty traders, elderly persons and people living with disabilities across several communities in the state.
According to her, more than 1,800 families directly benefited from the latest food distribution exercise organised under the initiative.
Lady Fubara described the outreach as a practical example of compassionate leadership aimed at supporting struggling households during difficult economic conditions.
“Today’s outreach programme is another practical demonstration of compassionate leadership and people-centred governance. At a time when many families are facing economic challenges, initiatives such as this remind our people that they are not forgotten,” she said.
“Beyond the distribution of food items, this programme represents hope, care, dignity and support for vulnerable households across Rivers State.”
She added that the Rivers State Government remains committed to programmes that directly improve the welfare of women, youths, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
“As a government, we remain committed to initiatives that directly improve the lives of our people, especially women, youths, the elderly and vulnerable households. We believe that true development is not only measured by infrastructure, but also by the extent to which lives are positively impacted,” she stated.
Lady Fubara also expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for initiating the programme and extending support to vulnerable Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She further thanked the Renewed Hope Initiative office in Rivers State and the wives of governors from about 20 states who attended the programme in Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commended Lady Valerie Fubara for ensuring the successful implementation of Renewed Hope Initiative programmes in Rivers State.
Represented at the event by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu, the First Lady said the Food Outreach Scheme under the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investments Programme was launched in March 2024 to provide food support for persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable Nigerians.
She explained that the programme has continued to expand due to the support of donors who supply two truckloads of food items monthly to the initiative.
“Our goal at the RHI is to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which aims to support all Nigerians to thrive and fulfil their goals irrespective of their condition or status,” she said.
According to her, the food outreach programme has already reached 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Rivers State becoming the 26th beneficiary under the scheme.
The Renewed Hope Initiative has become one of the major social intervention programmes currently supporting vulnerable households across Nigeria through food support, empowerment and welfare-focused initiatives.
