First Lady Disburses N25m To Elderly Persons in Jigawa
From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
No fewer than 250 elderly Persons have received the sum of N100,000 each from the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The support which is under the Elderly Support Scheme of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHIESS), was launched by Jigawa First Lady Hajiya Hadiza Namadi, on Thursday, at Manpower Development Institute Dutse.
Hajiya Hadiza who said the beneficiaries are elderly vulnerable aged between 65 years to above, said the gesture is aimed at cushioning the effects of the economic situation and alleviating the suffering of the elderly persons.
She explained that the initiative also organised free medical check-ups on Blood pressure, Sugar, and eye check-ups for the beneficiaries at the venue.
“To complement the efforts of Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, I’ve organised some medical personnel to offer free medical services to the beneficiaries of this initiative such as checkups, diagnosis, as well as treatment of health issues peculiar to elder persons,” she said.
According to her, the state government must establish a comprehensive database that will capture details of all elderly persons in the state.
This, Namadi said will enable the state government to monitor their welfare and provide the requisite support and assistance they need to replicate more initiatives like the RHIEES.
While delivering her remarks, the Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab, commended the president’s wife for her vision and dedication towards improving the lives of elderly persons.
She said the gesture will go a long way in meeting the basic needs of the elderly beneficiaries.
The commissioner, who lauded Gov Umar of Namadi of the state and his wife’s efforts in prioritising the welfare of the citizens of the state, urged other well-meaning individuals to emulate the gesture and contribute towards improving the welfare of the elderly in the society.
“We must all work to ensure that no one is left behind, especially those who are vulnerable and in need of our support,” the commissioner said.
The Commissioner equally urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money.
Some of the beneficiaries, Adama Muhammad and Bura Baduku commended the state and federal governments for the gesture.
However, while Baduku said he would use the money to buy foodstuff for his family, Asabe Abdullahi and Aisha Musa Auyo promised to boost their small business in their communities.
