NEWS
Tinubu’s Wife to Disburse N200,000 Each to 250 Senior Citizens in Benue
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Wife of the Nigeria President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday said the sum of N200,000 each would be disburse to 250 elderly people in Benue State as part of the launch of the 2nd edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS) across the country.
She said the theme of the 2nd edition of the RHIESS was “Total Wellness: Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Lifestyle” aimed at promoting the welfare of Nigeria’s senior citizens.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu who was represented by Scholastica Bem-sor, Special Adviser to Benue State Governor on Women Affairs and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, said the program is targeted at Nigerians with the ages 65 and above.
She revealed that 250 elderly beneficiaries would be selected annually across all 36 states of the federation, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including members of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
“Notably, the financial grant has been increased from N100,000 to N200,000 per beneficiary, with a total of N1.9 billion set for nationwide disbursement. The initiative’s focus on health and wellness, offering free medical check-ups and support to ensure elderly citizens lead healthier lives.
“I want to encourage the beneficiaries to maintain healthy lifestyles, Eat well, stay hydrated, do little exercises like walking, and get adequate rest and spend quality time with loved ones and do what makes you happy.”
She disclosed that the Governing Board of the renewed hope initiative had increased the grant from N100,000 to N200,000 for the year to provide further support to elderly citizens during the festive period.
According to her, a total of N1.9 billion would be disbursed across the country.
In his remarks, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Relations, Mary Yisa, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for prioritizing the elderly across Nigeria and in Benue State, noting that 250 elderly individuals benefited from the programme’s first edition and lauded the increase in financial support and the additional provision of medical outreach services, including malaria treatment and eye check-ups.
Alia highlighted the alignment of the Renewed Hope Initiative with his administration’s social programs, such as the ‘Alia Cares’ empowerment scheme and the ‘Benue Alia Palm Project’, aimed at boosting food security through palm oil production.
He also announced progress on the construction of a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center at Benue State University, Makurdi, designed to serve as a regional medical hub.
Acknowledging the elderly as custodians of societal values and wisdom, Governor Alia urged beneficiaries to use the financial support wisely and also actively participate in the medical outreach to improve their health.
In her opening remarks, the Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Hon. Scholastica Bem-sor outlined the Renewed Hope Initiative’s broad focus areas, including Education, Agriculture, Health, Economic Empowerment, and Social Investment.
She praised the First Lady for her unwavering support for the less privileged and disclosed significant achievements under the Tinubu administration, such as empowering women in agriculture with N500,000 each, providing food relief to widows and internally displaced persons, and supporting petty traders with N50,000 grants.
In their goodwill message, the Special Adviser on Beautification, Member Dekera and Helen Agaigbe, State Woman Leader, commended Governor Alia’s administration for amplifying women’s voices in governance and reaffirmed their support for the Tinubu-led government.
Terna Andural, Special Adviser on Community Relations, called for more initiatives to uplift vulnerable women in society, recognizing their resilience and industrious nature.
There were other goodwill messages from zonal representatives, including Hon. Janet Orukuna (Zone A), Grace Asor (Zone B), and Patience Erube (Zone C), who applauded Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her unwavering commitment to empowering women and elderly citizens.
The launch ceremony also featured a medical outreach offering services such as malaria screening, blood pressure checks, eye examinations, free medications, and glasses, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of Nigeria’s elderly population.
NEWS
New Medical Doctor Appreciates Ex-Reps Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Adekoya for University Sponsorship
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A fresh graduate medical doctor from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun, has expressed touching appreciation to a former Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Adesegun Abdel-Majid Adekoya, for the full sponsorship of his university education.
Hon Adekoya is the founder of Prince Abdel-Majid Foundation (PAM Foundation), a non-governmental organisation engaged in uplifting Nigerians, especially the less privileged, children, youths and women.
In an open letter of appreciation, Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun, said his dream of becoming a medical doctor would have been a mirage if it not for the support of Hon Adekoya who stood by him in the past six years.
He declared that Hon Adekoya, popularly known as Attacker from his football-playing days as a youth, took over the full sponsorship of his university education without allowing him to pay a dime.
He also added that through the mentorship of Hon Adekoya he was able to emerge as the President of OOU Students Union.
He declared that his stint as SUG President has already instilled leadership qualities in him.
Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun wrote: “Dear Rt. Hon. Abdul-Majid Adekoya Adesegun, I write with a heart full of gratitude to sincerely appreciate you for being the sole benefactor of my academic journey.
“From my very first day in 100 Level to my final year in 600 Level, your generosity through the scholarship you granted me has been the bedrock of my success.
“Today, by the grace of God and through your unwavering support, I have emerged as a qualified medical doctor. This achievement is not mine alone; it is a testament to your belief in me, your investment in my future, and your commitment to empowering the next generation.
“Words cannot fully capture the depth of my appreciation, but I pray that the Almighty rewards you abundantly, grants you good health, and continues to bless your endeavors.
“Your kindness has not only changed my life but has also inspired me to be a source of help to others, just as you have been to me.
“Thank you for making my dream a reality.”
Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun added: “I wish to sincerely appreciate ATTACKER for taking full responsibility for my tuition fees from 100 Level to 600 Level — without allowing me to pay a dime.
“This rare and life-changing opportunity, made possible through the Prince Abdul Majid Foundation (PAM Foundation), is something I will forever hold in deep gratitude.
“Today, after 6 years of rigorous training, I proudly stand as a Medical Doctor, awaiting the privilege of taking the Hippocratic Oath soon.
“Beyond academics, the leadership lessons I gained under the mentorship of Rt. Hon. Adekoya gave me the edge to emerge as OOU Students’ Union Government President.
“And academically, I am proud to have made a Distinction in of of the courses I offered during my journey through medical school.
“Thank you for believing in me, investing in my dreams, and giving me the platform to grow both as a leader and a scholar.”
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over the reported extortion of over N56 million from farmers in Zamfara State by armed groups as well as the chilling video of an entire village in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State, completely abandoned to bandits.
The party noted that Nigeria, under President Tinubu and the APC is sliding into a dangerous new phase of state failure. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday, the party said a situation where farmers had to pay money to terrorists before they could gain access to their own farmlands, is not just a Zamfara tragedy, but a national warning.Abdullahi said that a situation where people had to abandon an entire town to bandits, in the very heart of the country, is not just a local challenge but an evidence of national surrender. “When armed gangs can collect N56 million from farmers for the ‘right’ to plant food, the issue is no longer about insecurity. It is about criminal elements contesting the right to govern a part of Nigeria. When criminals can tax citizens at gunpoint, it means the state has surrendered its monopoly of force and state authority is in retreat.” The statement said it is discouraging that this could be happening in a country with one of the largest defence budgets in Africa, yet its farmers were left to bargain with warlords for their survival. It recalled that in the same Zamfara state only a few days ago about 50 people were abducted in one swoop, saying that added to this is the eerie picture of an entire town where all the people, the young, the old and the infirm had to seek refuge elsewhere for fear of bandits attacks. Abdullahi said there were other cases which showed alarming pattern suggesting that other parts of the country considered safe may not be so for long. “The pertinent question therefore is whether the Tinubu-led APC government is still in charge and can still be trusted to do its most fundamental duty, which is to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. “We recall that in November 2014, President Bola Tinubu, leader of opposition party at the time, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over the Boko Haram Challenges in The North-East of the country. His words: “If you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, why should any part of this country be under occupation? And you give us excuses every day. In any civilized country Jonathan should have resigned.”He said though the security situation that President Tinubu was using to campaign in 2014 had multiplied exponentially under his party and is currently enjoying great prosperity under his direct watch, no one is calling on him to resign. “The ADC does not want President Tinubu to resign. We only ask him to do his job. We also ask the pertinent question, why did the President think that the security situation in Rivers State warranted the declaration of state of emergency, but the one in Zamfara with industrial scale kidnapping and a direct challenge to the authority of the Nigerian State by way of bandit tax does not even deserve a direct comment from him,” the statement asked.It urge President Tinubu to drop whatever else that pre-occupied him and direct his attention to Zamfara State and other parts of the country menaced by bandits. “If the Tinubu administration cannot guarantee the safety of our farms and farming communities, if people could be forced to abandon their homes out of fear, then it has failed in its most basic responsibility. You cannot boast that you are in charge of your country while your citizens are negotiating their survival with criminals.”
The Oyo State Government has denied a notice currently circulating among pensioners concerning a supposed verification exercise. This is contained in statement in Ibadan on Friday by the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Prof. Salihu Adelabu. Adelabu described as fake any message requesting pensioners to submit photocopies of their pension certificate, account details, and phone numbers to the ministry.
He urged pensioners to ignore such messages and remain vigilant against misinformation targeting retirees. He emphasised that the ministry would contact eligible individuals only when it is their turn to receive their benefits. The Commissioner added that all official information is communicated solely through recognised and credible channels. Adelabu advised pensioners to verify any suspicious message before acting, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to retirees’ welfare. He said the government would continue to uphold transparency and due process in pension and gratuity matters. He also called on the public to share only verified information, saying protecting pensioners from fraud is a shared duty. (NAN)
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