Over 6,800 Families Benefit From Renewed Hope Initiative In Rivers — Valerie Fubara

Wife of the Governor of Rivers State, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has disclosed that over 6,800 families have so far benefited from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) programme in the state.

Lady Fubara made the disclosure on Thursday during the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups at Government House, Port Harcourt. The exercise formed part of the Social Investments Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, the pet project of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

According to her, the initiative has gone beyond food distribution to include local and foreign scholarships, agricultural support, and other social investment programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents.

She stated that the Renewed Hope Initiative has consistently supported the people of Rivers State through women empowerment programmes, assistance to petty traders, support for persons living with disabilities, elderly care initiatives, and other humanitarian interventions.

Lady Fubara noted that more than 1,800 families directly benefited from Thursday’s food distribution exercise alone.

“Today’s outreach programme is another practical demonstration of compassionate leadership and people-centred governance. At a time when many families are facing economic challenges, initiatives such as this remind our people that they are not forgotten,” she said.

She added that the programme symbolises hope, dignity, care, and support for vulnerable households across Rivers State.

“As a government, we remain committed to initiatives that directly improve the lives of our people, especially women, youths, the elderly, and vulnerable households. We believe that true development is not only measured by infrastructure, but also by the extent to which lives are positively impacted,” she stated.

Lady Fubara expressed gratitude to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for conceiving the Renewed Hope Initiative and sustaining support for vulnerable Nigerians. She also appreciated the Rivers State office of the initiative and the wives of governors from about 20 states who attended the event.

Speaking at the occasion, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commended Lady Valerie Fubara for her commitment to the successful implementation of Renewed Hope Initiative programmes in Rivers State.

Represented by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu, Senator Tinubu explained that the Food Outreach Scheme under the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investments Programme was launched in March 2024 to provide food items to persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

She revealed that the programme is being sustained through the support of two donors who supply two truckloads of food items to the initiative every month.

“Our goal at the RHI is to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aims to support all Nigerians to thrive and fulfil their goals irrespective of their condition or status,” she said.

Tinubu further disclosed that the scheme had already reached 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Rivers State becoming the 26th beneficiary of the programme.

The event attracted government officials, women leaders, and stakeholders from within and outside the state.