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The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the social intervention programme of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has disbursed N819 million to 1,638 widows of military and police personnel who died in the line of duty.
The beneficiaries, drawn from families of security personnel who lost their lives from 2023 to date, will each receive N500,000 to either start a business or recapitalise an existing one.
Speaking at the second edition of the RHI Social Investment Programme for Widows of Fallen Heroes in Abuja on Thursday, the First Lady said N657.5 million was allocated to 1,315 widows of fallen military personnel, while N161.5 million was earmarked for 323 widows of deceased police officers.
She explained that the money had already started reaching the beneficiaries’ accounts, adding that the presentation at the ceremony was symbolic.
“As I speak, your accounts are being credited by Zenith Bank. This is just a symbolic presentation today. God bless and prosper whatever business venture you all engage in,” she said.
Tinubu said the intervention was designed not only to honour the sacrifices of security personnel who died protecting the nation but also to provide tangible support for the women and children they left behind.
“Today, we are providing financial support of N500,000 each to 1,638 widows of our fallen heroes, covering those who have lost their husbands in line of duty since the assumption of office of Mr. President.
“This will enable you to recapitalise an existing business or start a business of your choice to care for your families,” she said.
The First Lady, who is the National Chairman of RHI, stressed that Nigeria remained indebted to members of the security forces who operated under difficult and dangerous conditions to preserve the country’s peace and security.
She also acknowledged the sacrifices of their spouses, describing military and police wives as women who endured uncertainty and the risks associated with their husbands’ professions.
“The path of a military spouse is not an easy one; it is a journey filled with uncertainty, sacrifice, and ever-present awareness of the inherent risk that comes with loving someone who serves a dear nation,” she said.
According to her, the widows had demonstrated strength and resilience by keeping their homes and supporting their husbands while they served the country.
“I applaud and acknowledge the strength, resilience, and sacrifices you too have made for our dear country,” she said.
Tinubu recalled that the RHI, on November 14, 2023, provided N250,000 each to 1,420 widows and orphans of fallen heroes selected through the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association.
She explained that although the first edition initially targeted 1,710 beneficiaries, irregularities in names and bank details prevented some of those listed from accessing the funds.
She said the latest intervention was therefore expanded to capture more families of security personnel who had paid the supreme price.
The First Lady thanked the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, for supporting the compilation of the beneficiaries’ list.
She also conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation to the families of fallen personnel, saying the President recognised and honoured the sacrifices of those who died in service to Nigeria.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, honours and appreciates the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in service of our nation,” she said.
Urging the beneficiaries to look beyond their losses, Tinubu said they should not regard themselves as victims but as survivors who had demonstrated exceptional courage.
“We at the Renewed Hope Initiative recognise that the 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 we chart a new path forward,” she said.
She further urged older widows to support and encourage those who had recently lost their husbands, saying their shared experiences could provide emotional strength to younger widows.
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Tinubu expressed hope that the financial support would help the women rediscover purpose, regain economic stability and secure a better future for their children.
“I pray that all of you will have your hope renewed, discover purpose, joy, and a new future for you and your children,” she said.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said the intervention demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to providing relief and economic empowerment to families who had suffered losses in the defence of the country.
While acknowledging that no material assistance could compensate the widows for the loss of their husbands, Oluyede said the nation had a responsibility to ensure that families of fallen heroes were not forgotten.
“No material support can fully compensate for your loss. But I need you to understand that it is the collective responsibility of the nation and its institutions to ensure that the families of their heroes left behind are not forgotten,” he said.
The CDS said the fallen personnel had answered the nation’s call and paid the supreme price, adding that their sacrifices remained part of the foundation of Nigeria’s peace and security.
He said the RHI intervention complemented existing institutional efforts to support families of fallen personnel while sending a message to serving officers and soldiers that the country recognised their sacrifices and cared about their families.
Oluyede urged the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously, particularly for their families’ welfare, children’s education and future development.
Describing the intervention as “a demonstration of national solidarity”, he expressed hope that the assistance would ease some of the financial pressures confronting the families.
The CDS also commended President Tinubu for his commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel, particularly through the recent approval of enhanced remuneration.
He paid tribute to fallen members of the security forces, assuring their families that their “courage, loyalty, and ultimate sacrifice will never ever be forgotten.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, described the intervention as an extraordinary demonstration of compassion and patriotism towards families of officers who paid the supreme price.
Disu noted that the sacrifice of fallen personnel did not end with their death but continued through the daily struggles of the spouses and children they left behind.
“When a nation loses a hero, the sacrifice does not end with that hero. It continues in the homes, the hearts, and the daily struggle of families left behind,” he said.
He said the decision by RHI to support the families sent a powerful message that fallen heroes and their loved ones had not been forgotten.
“Please accept this gesture as a sincere embrace from the nation you served. Behind every fallen officer was a family that shares in the burden of duty and endures the ultimate pain of the loss.
“Nigeria sees you, Nigeria remembers you, and Nigeria is profoundly grateful to you,” Disu said.
The IGP said the initiative demonstrated that the Renewed Hope Agenda was not limited to policies and programmes but also involved “touching lives, restoring dignity, and standing with Nigerians at their most vulnerable moment.”
He saluted fallen military and police personnel, saying their sacrifices had enabled millions of Nigerians to live, work and pursue their aspirations.
Disu thanked the First Lady for “keeping faith with our heroes and for holding the hands of the families they leave behind.”
