Remi Tinubu Gives N819m To 1,638 Widows Of Fallen Military, Police Personnel

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

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

The First Lady, 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, she 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 is intended to help the widows 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”, Mrs Tinubu said.

“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”.

Senator Tinubu disclosed that the beneficiaries’ bank accounts were already being credited, explaining 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 the knowledge of the risks faced by their loved ones 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 had initially targeted 1,710 beneficiaries during the first edition, but irregularities in names and bank details prevented some of those listed from receiving the 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.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi 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 defence of the country.

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

He described the assistance as “a demonstration of national solidarity” and expressed hope that it would provide relief to the families in meeting essential needs.

The CDS also commended President Tinubu for what he described as 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.”

Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji 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.

“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.

“By choosing to reach out to these families, you have sent a powerful message that our fallen heroes and those they loved are not forgotten.”

According to him, the intervention went beyond financial assistance, describing it as a demonstration of solidarity by a grateful nation and recognition of the supreme sacrifices made by security personnel.

The IGP said the RHI had demonstrated through the intervention that the Renewed Hope Agenda was not merely about policies and programmes but also about “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.

He thanked the First Lady for “keeping faith with our heroes and for holding the hands of the families they leave behind”.