The Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, says about 6,800 families in the state have so far benefited from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a social intervention programme aimed at supporting vulnerable households.
She disclosed this on Thursday during a food distribution exercise held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, where relief items were shared with selected beneficiaries.
The programme is part of the broader social investment scheme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, the pet project of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Lady Fubara explained that beyond food distribution, the initiative has also provided scholarships, agricultural support, empowerment for petty traders, assistance for persons living with disabilities, and welfare support for the elderly.
She noted that over 1,800 families directly benefited from the latest round of food distribution, describing the intervention as part of efforts to cushion economic hardship among vulnerable groups.
According to her, the initiative reflects a governance approach focused not only on infrastructure development but also on improving the living conditions of citizens across communities.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to programmes that promote social welfare, particularly for women, youths, the elderly, and persons in need.
The governor’s wife also expressed appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for initiating the Renewed Hope Initiative and extending its reach to states across the federation.
She further thanked the RHI office in Rivers State and governors’ wives from about 20 states who attended the event.
In her remarks, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commended the Rivers State First Lady for her active involvement in the implementation of the programme.
Represented by a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu, she said the food outreach scheme was introduced in March 2024 to support persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups nationwide.
She added that the initiative is sustained through donor support, with contributions dedicated to supplying food items monthly for distribution across states.
MrsTinubu explained that the programme is designed to complement the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve the welfare and productivity of Nigerians.
She further disclosed that the scheme has reached 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Rivers State becoming the 26th beneficiary.
