The Nigerian Government, in collaboration with the Rivers State Government, has empowered 500 elderly citizens in the state with financial support of N200,000 each under a national elderly welfare programme.
The empowerment event was held on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Port Harcourt, as part of a social investment initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of senior citizens across the country.
Speaking at the event themed “Finding Joy in Old Age”, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the programme was designed to appreciate elderly citizens for their lifelong contributions to nation-building and to support them in maintaining dignity and financial stability in old age.
She explained that the initiative targets vulnerable senior citizens aged 65 and above across the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and selected veterans’ groups, with a total of 9,500 beneficiaries nationwide. According to her, the governing board approved N1.9 billion for nationwide disbursement, with each state receiving N50 million.
Represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, the First Lady urged beneficiaries to use the financial support wisely and remain active, healthy and socially engaged.
“I encourage you to continue nurturing both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful activities that bring fulfilment and joy,” she said.
In her remarks, Lady Fubara disclosed that the Rivers State Government expanded the number of beneficiaries in the state from 250 to 500, demonstrating its commitment to social welfare and inclusive governance.
She reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to improving the quality of life of elderly citizens through targeted welfare programmes.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, Dr Vetty Agala, said the state government has introduced free medical services for senior citizens, advising beneficiaries to take advantage of regular health check-ups.
She noted that the policy aligns with the state’s broader Health4AllRivers initiative, which guarantees free healthcare access for elderly residents.
Earlier, the Rivers State Coordinator of the programme, Hon. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, said beneficiaries were carefully selected from vulnerable and hard-to-reach elderly persons across the 23 local government areas of the state, including non-indigenes residing in Rivers.
She advised recipients to make judicious use of the funds to improve their livelihoods and wellbeing.
