N50 Million Empowerment: First Lady Distributes Funds to 250 Elderly in Nasarawa

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has provided financial support to no fewer than 250 vulnerable elderly residents of Nasarawa State, disbursing a total of N50 million to help improve their quality of life.

The empowerment exercise took place on Tuesday in Lafia, the state capital, under the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme of the current administration. Speaking at the event, the First Lady explained that each beneficiary would receive N200,000 to ease the challenges of old age and promote dignity and comfort in their later years.

Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Shela Akabe, said the intervention reflected the administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and well-being of senior citizens. She noted that the scheme targets elderly Nigerians aged 65 and above across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as veterans associated with the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association.

According to Akabe, every state, the FCT, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association received N50 million under the programme, bringing the total disbursement nationwide to N1.9 billion.

She added that the initiative is firmly aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda, which prioritises inclusive development and shared prosperity by ensuring that vulnerable groups are not left behind.

The First Lady also recalled previous empowerment efforts, noting that more than 100,000 women petty traders and small-scale business owners, including persons living with disabilities, have benefited from direct financial grants over the past two years.

Emphasising the importance of caring for senior citizens, especially during the festive season, Tinubu said the elderly deserve support and appreciation for the sacrifices they made to build a better future for younger generations.

“They walked difficult paths so that others could have smoother journeys,” she said. “At this stage of life, it is our responsibility to make living meaningful for them. Old age should not be defined by hardship, but by love, support, respect and a sense of belonging.”

She encouraged the beneficiaries to seek joy and purpose through community, compassion and mutual care.

In her remarks, the First Lady of Nasarawa State, Silifat Abdullahi-Sule, expressed gratitude to Mrs Tinubu for her continued concern for the people of the state, particularly the elderly and other vulnerable groups across the 13 local government areas.

Speaking through the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Scholarship Board, Sa’Adatu Yahaya, the governor’s wife explained that beneficiaries were carefully selected from all 13 LGAs to ensure fairness and inclusiveness. She urged them to use the funds wisely to cater for their personal needs, enhance their well-being and improve their overall standard of living.