Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 250 less-privileged elderly residents of Nasarawa State with a total sum of ₦50 million, in a move aimed at improving their welfare and quality of life.

The empowerment took place on Tuesday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, under the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme of the Federal Government. Each beneficiary received ₦200,000 to help ease financial burdens and promote a more dignified old age.

Speaking at the disbursement exercise, Mrs Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Shela Akabe, said the initiative reflects the administration’s strong commitment to caring for senior citizens, especially those who are vulnerable.

Akabe explained that the scheme targets elderly Nigerians aged 65 years and above across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as veterans connected to the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association. She noted that ₦50 million was allocated to each state and the associations, bringing the total disbursement nationwide to ₦1.9 billion.

According to her, the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive growth and shared prosperity while ensuring that no segment of society is neglected.

The First Lady also highlighted that the Federal Government, through similar initiatives, has supported over 100,000 women petty traders, small business owners, and persons living with disabilities with financial grants over the past two years. She stressed the importance of supporting the elderly, particularly during the festive season, to enable them to enjoy comfort, dignity, and peace.

“They have walked difficult paths so that the younger generations may have smoother roads to travel. It is our responsibility to make life worthwhile for them at this stage,” she said, encouraging senior citizens to find joy, purpose, and strength through community, compassion, and care.

In her remarks, the First Lady of Nasarawa State, Silifat Abdullahi-Sule, expressed appreciation to Mrs Tinubu for her continued concern for vulnerable groups in the state. Speaking through the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Scholarship Board, Sa’Adatu Yahaya, she disclosed that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from all 13 local government areas of the state.

She urged the recipients to use the funds wisely to improve their health, well-being, and overall standard of living, describing the initiative as a timely intervention that would positively impact many lives.