By Lady TC, Awka.
No fewer than 250 old people in Anambra State has benefitted from the second edition of Renewed Hope Initiative’s Elder Support Scheme (RHIESS).
The event, which took place in Awka, was part of the programme arm of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a non-governmental humanitarian organization run by the wife of Nigeria’s President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The beneficiaries aged 65 and above, were selected from different parts of the state, following strict health, age and economic status criteria for those who are eligible for the programme.
The empowerment programme which is on going in all the 36 states of Nigeria, also has members of Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) as beneficiaries.
They were given free medical checks, the sum of N100, 000 each to take care of their personal upkeeps, gallons of vegetable oil, and rolls of wrapper.
Presenting the gifts on behalf of the president’s wife, the wife of the Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo who read the Nigeria First Lady’s speech, said that the economic empowerment project was borne out of steadfast commitment to the well-being of the elderly citizens and marks a significant stride in the collective pursuit of a more inclusive and compassionate society.
“As the festive season draws closer, it has become important to emphasize the significance of prioritizing the elderly in the initiative,” she noted.
Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Medina Ifeanyi from Ogbaru, Comrade Ebenezer Obakamma and Mr Isaac Uche from Ihiala, thanked the president’s wife and Mrs Soludo or remembering the poor, and described the gesture as the first in the history of the state.
Also at the event were the wife Of the deputy governor of Anambra State, Mrs Oluchi Ibezim, wife of the National Chairman of APGA, Mrs Amara Ezeokenwa, the Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili South, Mrs Amaka Obi, among others.
