The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has provided N819 million in financial support to 1,638 widows of fallen military and police personnel.
The First Lady announced the intervention on Thursday at the second edition of the RHI Social Investment Programme for Widows of Fallen Heroes in Abuja.
Under the initiative, each beneficiary will receive N500,000 to start a new business or expand an existing one and support their families.
Of the total amount, N657.5 million will be distributed to 1,315 widows of fallen military personnel, while N161.5 million will go to 323 widows of deceased police officers.
Tinubu said the beneficiaries’ bank accounts were already being credited, describing the presentation at the event as 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.
She said the intervention was aimed at honouring personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty while providing practical assistance to the families they left behind.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Tinubu described them as women of courage and resilience who had made significant sacrifices in supporting their husbands and families.
She acknowledged the difficulties faced by military spouses, particularly the uncertainty and risks associated with their husbands’ service to the country.
“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.
Tinubu also commended the women for standing by their husbands and maintaining their families despite the risks associated with military service.
The programme covers widows of military and police personnel who died in the line of duty from 2023 to date.
The initiative received commendation from the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who attended the presentation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Aneke said continued support for the families of fallen personnel demonstrated the nation’s appreciation of their sacrifices and its commitment to the welfare of their dependants.
The event was attended by senior military and security officials, government representatives and other stakeholders.
