By Bridget Tikyaa
Getting to the life journey of a senior citizen should ordinarily be a source of pride, a stage of celebration in life, less hassles, basic comfort, and time to savour the fruits of one’s labour. However, the reality is that things don’t turn out to be this way in most climes. Just like in other parts of the world, in Nigeria, the elderly population are facing numerous challenges ranging from difficulties in accessing affordable, specialized healthcare services to address age-related health issues, irregular pensions and financial support to ensure decent living, improper access to basic amenities like housing, sanitation, and nutrition, emotional support, and many others.
These are essentials that can significantly improve the quality of life for elderly individuals. The difficulties in accessing them highlight the need for improved social support systems, healthcare infrastructure, and policies to protect the rights and dignity of elderly individuals in Nigeria.
However, amidst these challenges, an organisation committed to better welfare for Nigerians has significantly focused on rendering vital support to vulnerable elderly Nigerians, giving them hope, comfort, and a new lease of life. This is the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), through its Elderly Support Scheme.
The Renewed Hope Initiative is the flagship programme of Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, focusing on women, youth, children, and the elderly. The RHI is where every Nigerian’s dream of a better life is reached and has been creating real, lasting change by focusing on families, dignity, and opportunities.
Since 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has consistently celebrated elderly citizens every December as a mark of appreciation for their sacrifices. On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the RHI held the third edition of such intervention – the Elderly Support Scheme – in Benue State at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, with the theme “Finding Joy in Old Age”.
It is not just an RHI agenda but part of the Nigerian government broader social investment efforts aimed at promoting the dignity, comfort, and well-being of elderly Nigerians.
During the third edition of the Elderly Support Scheme, 250 vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 years and above were supported by the RHI in Benue State. Significantly, the same number of elderly citizens in all the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory received similar support.
Each beneficiary received N200,000 during the ceremony in Makurdi, while Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia gave each beneficiary a bag of rice. There was also a free medical outreach for the elderly, during which beneficiaries received basic health checks, consultations and medical support, underscoring the holistic approach of the initiative to both financial and health needs of senior citizens.
Benue State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor said the initiative, a pet project of Nigeria’s First Lady Remi Tinubu, reflects a resolute determination to honour senior citizens who have contributed immensely to nation-building.
She noted that since 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has consistently celebrated elderly citizens every December as a mark of appreciation for their sacrifices, with a total of 9,500 beneficiaries nationwide each receiving ₦200,000, totalling N1.9 billion.
“As we approach the festive season, it is our moral duty and indeed our joy to ensure that our elderly live their twilight years in comfort, good health and dignity,” the First Lady said in the message to the event.
The purpose is to make the senior citizens remain active, find purpose in community life, and embrace joy in old age.
For Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor, valuing elderly citizens is absolutely necessary. “What you are today is not forever. Life may take you through certain curves you don’t know. The least person you see today may be the person you will look up to tomorrow,” she said, calling on society to treat the elderly with dignity, respect, and compassion.
She hailed all those impacting lives including Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whom she described as a man of integrity, sacrifice and uncommon commitment to service, who has positively impacted families, homes and society at large, stressing that family, church and school form the bedrock of any society.
Although the governor did not attend the event, Hon. Ben-Sor disclosed that he directed that each of the 250 beneficiaries receive a bag of rice through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in addition to facilitating the free medical outreach conducted for the elderly during the programme.
Goodwill messages were delivered by several dignitaries, including a representative of the wife of the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Hon. Mrs. Christy Ode, who praised the First Lady for sustaining the initiative and applauded Governor Alia for his visible developmental strides across the state while the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Teresa Odachi Ikwe, represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Hon. Ifa Celestine commended the transparency of the RHI and advised beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously to improve their standard of living. Similarly, the Benue State Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Mrs. Helen Agaigbe appreciated the First Lady for her remarkable traits of compassion displayed through consistent support for the vulnerable in the society.
Bridget Tikyaa
Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Publicity and Communications Strategy
