The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has flagged off the third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative under the Social Investment Programme for the Elderly Support Scheme in Kaduna State, with the theme “Finding Joy in Old Age.”
The initiative benefited two hundred and fifty elderly persons drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. Each beneficiary received two hundred thousand naira, amounting to a total disbursement of fifty million naira. The financial support is aimed at cushioning the effects of economic hardship and improving the overall wellbeing of elderly citizens across the state.
The programme commenced with the accreditation of beneficiaries and featured free medical check-ups to address health concerns and promote healthy living among senior citizens. The exercise formed part of the broader social protection drive of the Renewed Hope Initiative to ensure dignity and care for older persons.
The event opened with prayers led by the Senior Special Assistant on Religious Matters to Governor Uba Sani, Mallam Abdulrahman Zakariya Uthman, and Reverend Jangado. They prayed for divine guidance, peace, and success for the current administration and for Nigeria as a whole.
Speaking on behalf of the First Lady of Nigeria, the Wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Her Excellency Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani, who also serves as State Coordinator RHI, through the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Mrs. Patience Fakia, urged beneficiaries to use the support wisely. She advised them to apply the funds to strengthen their health and overall wellbeing.
She further encouraged the beneficiaries to continue to pray for the success of the administrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Governor Uba Sani, CON. She noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative “underscores the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and social protection for the elderly.”
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Yonana Markus Barde, described the initiative as “timely and impactful.” He urged beneficiaries to remain hopeful and to share testimonies of the positive impact the intervention has made in their lives.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Kaduna State Head of Service, Mrs. Jummai Bako, the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Umma K Ahmed, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim, and the District Head of Kawo, Alhaji Jibril Mohammed, Dan Makwayon Zazzau. They emphasized the need for society to treat the elderly with value, compassion, and empathy, while reaffirming the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to the inclusion, comfort, and dignity of senior citizens.
Beneficiaries, in separate interviews, expressed joy and gratitude for the support, offering prayers for the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, and the Kaduna State Government.
Dignitaries at the event included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Investment and others.
