RIVERS ELDERS RECEIVE N100,000 AS FIRST LADY LAUNCHES RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE SUPPORT FOR  ELDERLY PERSONS

RIVERS ELDERS RECEIVE N100,000 AS FIRST LADY LAUNCHES RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE SUPPORT FOR  ELDERLY PERSONS

The wife of Rivers State governor, Lady Fubara, assures more financial and training support to Rivers farmers

By Faith kordoo

Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has presented gift items including one hundred thousand naira (N100,000) each to  250 benefiting elders of the Elderly Support Scheme in Rivers State.

The first lady made the donations to the elders selected from the three senatorial districts of Rivers State including none indigenes at the official flag-off of the Elderly Support Scheme, a part of the Renewed Hope Initiative programmes of the current administration, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The Renewed Hope Initiative programmes are focused on ensuring that all citizens are supported to engage in productive activities that will enhance socioeconomic growth of the country.

Represented by the wife of the Rivers State governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Senator Tinubu declared that the flag-off ceremony marked a significant stride in the collective pursuit of establishing a more inclusive and compassionate society.

She stressed that the economic scheme is borne out of a strong commitment to better the wellbeing of elderly citizens.

Senator Tinubu explained that reaching out to the elderly means that their concerns are prioritised in acknowledgement of their immense contributions to society, and to support them as they face unique economic and health encounters.

“This scheme is to support 250 vulnerable elderly citizens, aged 65 and above. These selected beneficiaries will receive a sum of N100,000 each. This is to cushion the effect of the economic situation and to alleviate the burden felt by our esteemed elders.

“To our senior citizens, I urge you to embrace life to the fullest, prioritise your health, nurture your minds and strengthen your bonds with loved ones and with God. This programme serves as a renewed hope and prosperity for our revered elders and the nation.”

The first lady also assured that the young, old and less privileged persons will be assisted as a way of empowering families while training will be provided for farmers to access fertilizer, seedlings and equipment to boost agriculture.

On her part, Lady Fubara noted that “as a State we believe that Nigerians need to stay healthy and fit at all times. The Renewed Hope Initiative is also dear to the heart of Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his administration and he is committed to ensuring its success in all ramifications.”

She promised more financial and training support to the farmers so as to increase their productivity and ensure food sufficiency in the state in line with the goal of the initiative.

Also speaking, the Rivers State deputy governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, described the scheme as a warm demonstration of concerns for the elderly who have been empowered with financial grant and taught the importance of regular medical check to know their health status.

Prof. Odu subsequently declared the medical outreach session open and was the first to undergo a medical examination to ascertain her health status.