By Unue Emeka,
No fewer than 250 elderly persons in Delta State have benefited from the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), receiving ₦200,000 each, alongside a 50kg bag of rice and free medical care provided by the Delta State Government through the Office of the Wife of the Governor.
The beneficiaries were supported during the third edition of the scheme, held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Asaba, under the theme “Finding Joy in Old Age.”
The Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, was represented at the event by the Wife of the Governor of Delta State, Her Excellency Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, while Mrs. Josephine Emu spoke on behalf of the Delta First Lady.
In a speech delivered at the event, Senator Tinubu described the initiative as a vital social investment designed to ensure that elderly Nigerians live with dignity and a sense of belonging. She explained that since 2023, the administration has made it a tradition to celebrate senior citizens every December, recognizing their immense contributions to nation-building.
The scheme supports 250 vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in each of the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA). This amounts to 9,500 beneficiaries nationwide, supported by a total of ₦1.9 billion approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative. Each state, including the FCT, received an allocation of ₦50 million to facilitate the disbursements. Senator Tinubu emphasized that prioritizing the elderly during the festive season is a moral duty, stating that those who walked difficult paths for younger generations deserve comfort and respect in their twilight years.
Speaking through her representative, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori expressed deep appreciation to the First Lady of Nigeria for the compassionate intervention. She reaffirmed the commitment of the Oborevwori administration to the welfare of senior citizens, noting that the Delta State Government has approved ₦50 billion to offset outstanding pension liabilities at both state and local government levels. To further bolster the federal support, the Office of the Wife of the Governor and the You Matter Charity Foundation provided free medications and food supplies to all attendees.
Several beneficiaries who spoke with journalists described the intervention as timely and impactful, thanking the First Lady of Nigeria and the Delta State Government for remembering the elderly.
Many offered prayers for continued peace and development in Nigeria, noting that the combined financial and medical support would significantly ease their burdens during the holiday period.
