By Uduak Etukudo
UYO
As part of the Social Investment Programme of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has given a total of N1.9 billion as financial support to 9,500 elderly citizens across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Beneficiaries from the largesse also include veterans from the Defense and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
A breakdown of the amount indicates that 250 beneficiaries across the 36 states, FCT and DEPOWA received N200,000 each in the third edition of the Elderly Support Scheme.
Addressing the beneficiaries and other guests at the Akwa Ibom edition of the event which took place, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the Nigerian First Lady, represented by the Akwa Ibom First Lady designate and coordinator of the RHI, Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, disclosed that the social investment programme embodied her ongoing effort at ensuring that the “senior citizens live with dignity and joy in a nation that genuinely cares for its own”.
Speaking on this year’s theme of the celebration: Finding Joy In Old Age, Senator Tinubu maintained that since the inception of the present administration in 2023, the RHI has made it a tradition to celebrate senior citizens every December as a way of recognising their invaluable contributions to nation-building, expressing gratitude to the men and women who laboured to build the country that everyone is proud of today.
The First Lady stressed the importance of prioritising the elderly citizens, especially during festive periods, noting that they had walked difficult paths so that the younger generation may have smoother roads to travel, adding that every individual owes them a moral duty to ensure that they live their twilight years in comfort, good health and dignity.
She, on the other hand, advised the elderly to do everything within their reach to live joyfully, stay active and healthy by exercising their bodies regularly, reminding them that ageing gracefully is not all about longevity but being surrounded by love, support and respect.
Her words: “My advice to the senior citizens is to do all that is possible to find joy in old age. Those of us who are active should continue in charitable work, and in so doing, find joy in helping others.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement. Remember that ageing gracefully is not all about longevity but being surrounded by love, support and respect”.
The Nigerian First Lady thanked the senior citizens for their sacrifices and prayers for Nigeria and prayed God to grant them peace, good health and renewed hope, as well as extended her appreciation to the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, and Akwa Ibom first lady designate, Lady Helen Obareki, for their support to the scheme, and wished them a peaceful and joyous holiday season.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Abasiama Idiong applauded the nation’s First Lady, Mrs Tinubu, as well as Akwa Ibom first lady designate and coordinator, RHI, Lady Helen Obareki; for choosing them to benefit from the largesse and prayed God to bless them abundantly.
The event, which featured goodwill message from the commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas Etukudo, was graced by the member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency, Mrs Kenim Onofiok; Akwa Ibom State head of service, Mrs Elsie Peters; wife of former governor, Mrs Funmi Idongesit Nkanga; and wife of the chairman, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Mrs Imaobong Alfred.
Others included the wife of the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Louisa Ntukekpo, state focal person of RHI, Mrs Emem Orok; members of Legislators’ Wives Association (LEWA), members of Defense and Police Officers’ Wives Association, wives of commissioners, among others.
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