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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
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.
Each beneficiary will receive N500,000 to start a business or recapitalise an existing one under the second edition of the RHI Social Investment Programme for Widows of Fallen Heroes.
Speaking at the programme in Abuja yesterday, 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 said the funds had already begun reaching the beneficiaries’ accounts, explaining 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, who is the National Chairman of RHI, said the intervention covered families of security personnel who died in the line of duty since the Tinubu administration assumed office in 2023.
“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 said the intervention was intended to honour security personnel who paid the supreme price and provide tangible economic support for the wives and children they left behind.
She said Nigeria remained indebted to members of the security forces who operated under difficult and dangerous conditions to protect the country, acknowledging that their spouses also lived with the uncertainties and risks associated with their profession.
“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.
“I applaud and acknowledge the strength, resilience, and sacrifices you too have made for our dear country.”
Tinubu recalled that 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 said the first intervention had initially targeted 1,710 beneficiaries, but irregularities in names and bank details prevented some of those listed from receiving the funds.
According to her, the latest intervention was expanded to reach more families of security personnel who died in service.
Tinubu thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for supporting the compilation of the beneficiaries’ list.
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She also conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation to the families, saying the President recognised the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives 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 women to look beyond their losses, the First Lady said they should see themselves not as victims but as survivors who had demonstrated extraordinary 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 urged older widows to support women who had more recently lost their husbands, saying their shared experiences could provide encouragement and emotional strength.
“I pray that all of you will have your hope renewed, discover purpose, joy, and a new future for you and your children,” Tinubu said.
Oluyede said the intervention demonstrated the nation’s responsibility to families whose breadwinners died defending the country.
“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 described the intervention as “a demonstration of national solidarity” and urged the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously for their families’ welfare, children’s education and future development.
He also commended President Tinubu for efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel, including the recent approval of enhanced remuneration.
Paying tribute to fallen personnel, Oluyede assured their families that their “courage, loyalty, and ultimate sacrifice will never ever be forgotten.”
Disu similarly described the intervention as an extraordinary demonstration of compassion and patriotism towards families of officers who paid the supreme price.
“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,” the IGP said.
He said the programme sent a message that the country had neither forgotten the fallen personnel nor abandoned their families.
“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.
He thanked the First Lady for “keeping faith with our heroes and for holding the hands of the families they leave behind.”
