Mrs. Priscilla Otti representative of the wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 250 elderly citizens in Abia State through her ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’s Elderly Support Scheme.’
The initiative was carried out in partnership with the Office of the Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti.
The senior citizens were supported with bags of rice, food combo and each received a disbursement of #200.000 for their upkeep.
Speaking during the disbursement of the cash support at the Abia State Government House, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the wife of Abia Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, said that the theme for this year’s second edition of the programme is “Total Wellness: Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous Lifestyle.”
The First Lady explained that the programme is an annual initiative designed to enhance the welfare and well-being of elderly citizens across the country.
According to her, “250 elderly citizens, aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the federal capital territory and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association will be benefiting from the scheme.
The governing board of Renewed Hope Initiative has decided to increase the grant from N100,000 to N200,000 this year to provide further support to our elderly citizens during this festive season,” she said.Senator Oluremi further explained that a total of N1.9 billion will be disbursed across the nation.
“The RHI Coordinators in the 36 states of the federation, FCT and DRPOWA have received N50 million each, out of which N200,000 will be distributed today to each beneficiary in addition with free medical check-ups,”
She commended the State First Ladies and RHI Coordinators and partners for their support, and urged the senior citizens to prioritise their health even as they enjoy and celebrate during this festive season.
“Eat well, stay hydrated, do little exercises- like walking and getting adequate rest. Spend quality time with loved ones, and do what you enjoy and makes you happy”, she added.
Earlier in his speech, the Coordinator National Senior Citizens Centre in Abia State, Mazi Nwaka Otti said that it is imperative that the senior citizens receives the care they deserved as obtained in order clime.
Otti lamented that most of the senior citizens are homebound without adequate care and pleaded for technical support for the elderly.
However, he calls for the domestication of the National Senior Citizens Centre policy in Abia State adding that once that is done, it would help even those in the homebound.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix said that Abia State Government under Governor Otti is very intentional about providing support to the vulnerable and the elderly.
According to her, ” this is an administration that shows support, even the vulnerable groups gets the attention they deserves,”.
In their remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Blossom Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Magdalen Ugoanusi commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Abia State government for supporting the elderly in the society.
