First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, provided N500,000 each to 1,638 widows of fallen personnel of the Armed Forces and Nigeria Police who died in service between 2023 and 2026.
The intervention was the second edition of the programme under the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, social investment scheme designed to support widows of fallen heroes.
Mrs Tinubu said “the financial support was in recognition of the sacrifices made by the deceased personnel and to provide opportunities and assistance for their families and widows.”
She described the beneficiaries as “remarkable women who had endured immense pain and hardship following the loss of their husbands in the line of duty.”
“We remain grateful to the brave men and women of our security forces who work tirelessly, often at great personal risk, to protect all of us and preserve the peace and security of our nation,” she said.
“The path of a military spouse is not an easy one, it is a journey filled with uncertainty, sacrifice and the ever-present awareness of the inherent risks that comes with loving someone who serves our dear nation.”
“You brave women have stood by your husbands, keeping the home front, offering unwavering support and love and felt the immense pain of losing your loved ones in the line of duty.”
“I applaud and acknowledge the strength, resilience and sacrifices you too have made for our dear country,” she said.
The First Lady recalled that “on Nov. 14, 2023, the RHI provided financial support of N250,000 each to 1,420 widows and orphans of fallen heroes selected through DEPOWA.”
“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 the line of duty since the assumption of office of President Bola Tinubu,” she said.
“This will enable you to recapitalise an existing business or start a business of your choice to care for your family,” the First Lady said.
She commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Rilwan Disu, “for assisting in compiling the beneficiaries’ records from 2023 to date.”
According to her, “President Bola Tinubu appreciates and honours the sacrifices of security personnel who lost their lives while serving the nation and safeguarding citizens.”
She also commended “the beneficiaries and their families for remaining steadfast in the face of adversity, describing them as survivors who had shown extraordinary courage and resilience.”
“We are here to offer a helping hand as you chart a new path forward,” she said.
“Some of you have been widows for some time while some of you have just been widowed, I encourage the older women among you to give emotional support to the younger ones.”
“Today, we will make a presentation of about N657.5 million to the Chief of Defence Staff for 1,315 widows and about N161.5 million to the IGP for 323 widows, totalling about N819 million for all of you,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Oluyede “appreciated President Tinubu, the First Lady and Hajiya Nana Shettima, Vice-Chairman of RHI, for extending support to families of fallen heroes.”
He described the financial assistance “as a demonstration of national solidarity and compassion from a grateful nation that recognised the sacrifices made by security personnel.”
“Today’s intervention by the RHI is particularly significant as it complements institutional efforts and demonstrates the value which we place on the lives and service of those who defend our nation,” he said.
“It also reassures personnel serving across the country that the nation recognises their sacrifices and remains mindful of the well-being of their families.”
“To the beneficiaries, I encourage you to utilise this support judiciously for the welfare, education and future development of your children.”
“It is hoped that this gesture will provide some measure of relief and encouragement, particularly in meeting essential needs and supporting the welfare demands of daily life,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police said “the gesture reflected compassionate leadership and demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges faced by families left behind by fallen heroes.”
“When a nation loses a hero, the sacrifice does not end with that hero. It continues in the homes, the hearts and the daily struggles 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.”
“Today, a great number of families of our fallen personnel are beneficiaries of this intervention. This is more than financial assistance; it is a message of solidarity from a grateful nation,” he said.