Oluremi Tinubu Lifts Each Widow Of Fallen Military, Police Officers With N500,000

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through her social intervention programme, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has disbursed N819 million to 1,638 widows of fallen personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

In the second edition of the empowerment scheme under the RHI Social Investment Programme for widows of fallen heroes, each beneficiary received N500,000 to either start a business or recapitalise an existing one.

Mrs Tinubu, who announced the intervention at the programme in Abuja, said N657.5 million was allocated to 1,315 widows of fallen military personnel, while N161.5 million went to 323 widows of deceased police officers.

According to a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said the beneficiaries were families of security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty from 2023 to date, adding that the intervention was intended to help them rebuild their livelihoods and provide for their children.
“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.

“Today, we will make a presentation of the sum of N657,500,000 to the Chief of Defence Staff for 1,315 widows, and the sum of N161,500,000 to the Inspector-General of Police for 323 widows, totalling N819 million,” she said.

Senator Tinubu disclosed that the beneficiaries’ bank accounts were already being credited and explained that the presentation at the event was only 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.

The First Lady, who is also the national chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, said the intervention was conceived not only to remember the sacrifices of personnel who died protecting the country but also to provide tangible support and opportunities for the women and families they left behind.

According to her, Nigeria remains indebted to members of the security forces who work under difficult and dangerous conditions to preserve the nation’s peace and security.

She acknowledged the peculiar sacrifices made by spouses of military and police personnel, noting that their lives are often marked by uncertainty and by the knowledge of the risks their loved ones face in the course of duty.

The First Lady recalled that the RHI had, on November 14, 2023, under its Social Investment Programme, 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 initiative initially targeted 1,710 beneficiaries in the first edition, but irregularities in names and bank details prevented some of those listed from receiving financial assistance.

Mrs Tinubu said the latest exercise was therefore designed to expand the intervention and capture families of security personnel who had paid the supreme price.

She thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for assisting the RHI in compiling the list of beneficiaries.

The First Lady also conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation to the families, saying the President recognised 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.

She urged the beneficiaries not to see themselves as victims of their circumstances but as survivors who had demonstrated courage and resilience despite their losses.

At the event, General Oluyede described the intervention as a demonstration of the federal government’s determination to provide relief and economic empowerment to Nigerians, particularly families who had suffered losses in the country’s defence.

Oluyede said that although no amount of material assistance could compensate the beneficiaries for the loss of their loved ones, Nigeria and its institutions had a collective responsibility to ensure that families of fallen heroes were not abandoned.

Also, IGP Disu described the intervention as an extraordinary demonstration of compassion and patriotism towards families whose loved ones paid the supreme price for Nigeria.

IGP Disu said the sacrifices of fallen personnel did not end with their deaths but continued in the daily struggles of the spouses and children they left behind.