Empowerment Initiative Reaches Senior Citizens Nationwide
By Sunday John
LAFIA, Dec. 16, 2023 – In a significant move to support Nigeria’s aging population, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), has disbursed N50 million to 250 elderly beneficiaries in Nasarawa State. This event marks a critical component of a broader national strategy to address the economic vulnerabilities faced by senior citizens.
During the disbursement ceremony in Lafia, each beneficiary, aged 65 and above, received a direct grant of N200,000. The First Lady, represented by Mrs. Shela Tosan-Akabe, wife of the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, emphasized that the funds are intended to enhance the recipients’ quality of life, providing crucial financial support for healthcare, nutrition, and other essential needs during their retirement years.
Context and National Scale of the Program
The RHIESS is not an isolated act of charity but a structured, nationwide intervention. As explained, the scheme operates simultaneously across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and includes veterans through the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA). With each of these 38 entities receiving N50 million, the total national investment in this single elderly support cycle stands at N1.9 billion. This scale highlights a deliberate policy to integrate social welfare into the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims for inclusive economic growth that leaves no demographic behind.
Beyond a Single Grant: A Pattern of Social Investment
The First Lady contextualized this initiative within the Renewed Hope Initiative’s wider two-year track record, which has provided direct financial grants to over 100,000 women petty traders, small business owners, and persons with disabilities. This pattern reveals a strategic focus on direct cash transfers to the most economically vulnerable groups—a method increasingly recognized by development economists for its efficiency in reducing poverty and stimulating local economies. The elderly support scheme extends this logic to a demographic often excluded from traditional entrepreneurship programs.
The Philosophy of Dignity in Aging
In her remarks, Senator Tinubu framed the initiative as a moral and social imperative. “They have walked difficult paths so that younger generations may have smoother roads to travel. It is our responsibility to make life worthwhile for them at this stage,” she stated. This philosophy moves beyond viewing the elderly as mere recipients of aid, positioning them as respected pillars of the community who deserve dignity, joy, and purposeful engagement in their later years. She advised beneficiaries to find purpose through community and mutual care, suggesting that true old age is “defined by love, support and respect, rather than mere longevity.”
Local Implementation and Expectations
Hajiya Silifat Sule, the Wife of the Nasarawa State Governor, represented by Sa’adatu Yahaya, Executive Secretary of the State Scholarship Board, expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s focus on vulnerable groups. She confirmed that beneficiaries were meticulously selected from across the state’s 13 Local Government Areas to ensure equitable geographic distribution. A critical message delivered to recipients was the charge to utilize the funds judiciously—to improve their personal wellbeing and, by extension, support their immediate families, thereby creating a multiplier effect within households.
Analysis: Significance and Challenges
This intervention is significant for several reasons. First, it directly addresses a gap in social safety nets for the elderly, a growing population segment in Nigeria. Second, the scale and simultaneous national rollout demonstrate a coordinated, high-level commitment. However, the long-term impact will depend on factors beyond the one-off grant, including the sustainability of such programs, mechanisms to prevent inflation from eroding the grant’s value, and the establishment of complementary services like affordable healthcare. The initiative sets a precedent for recognizing and investing in the welfare of senior citizens as a cornerstone of a compassionate society.
(Report by NAN; Edited by Isaac Ukpoju)
