Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, has supported 1,709 widows and orphans of late soldiers with N250,000 each, totalling N422.750 million, under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

Presenting the relief package to the beneficiaries drawn from across the country, the First Lady said as wives of soldiers, their path was not an easy one, filled with uncertainties.

Tinubu stated that the sacrifices of their breadwinners who she said paid the ultimate price in the defence of the country must be rewarded with provision of adequate welfare.

While expressing hope that the intervention will offer some measure of relief to the beneficiaries, the First Lady called on other stakeholders to spare a thought for dependants of the late soldiers.

“Under the Social Investment Program of the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, we are here to empower 1,709 widows with the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N250,000) each.

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“This will enable you to recapitalize an existing business or start a business of your choice to enable you care for your families.

“We recognise that widows are not victims; they are survivors. You have shown extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, and we are here to offer a helping hand as you chart a new path forward.

“Some of you have been widows for some time while some of you have just been widowed and we hope that the older widows will give emotional support to the younger ones,” Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media, Busola Kukoyi, on Tuesday.

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, thanked the First Lady and the RHI for the kind and thoughtful gesture, which he said showed that the welfare of widows is a priority for her.

Represented by Major-General Danladi Salisu, the CDS noted that the financial support has brought renewed hope to the families of fallen heroes, adding that it would consequently boost the morale of serving members of the Armed Forces.

The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association and Wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Oghogho Musa, who received the donation on behalf of the beneficiaries, applauded the intervention, describing it as a much-needed relief for the beneficiaries.

The Star