In a significant move to honor the nation's elders and defenders, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has declared that military veterans will be included as beneficiaries of this year's nationwide Elderly Support Scheme.
The announcement was made during a meeting with the wives of the newly appointed service chiefs at the State House in Abuja on November 18, 2025.
Addressing Insecurity and Honoring Sacrifice
Senator Tinubu used the occasion to commend the Armed Forces and security agencies for their sustained sacrifices and courage in protecting the country. She also expressed profound concern over the recent abduction of 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, describing the incident as very unfortunate and sad.
The First Lady led a minute of silence in honor of the departed Vice Principal of the school, highlighting the immense responsibilities now placed on the new service chiefs and their families. She urged the officers' wives to strengthen the support they provide to their spouses as the nation intensifies its fight against insecurity.
Your husbands signed up to protect the nation and its people, even at the expense of their own lives, she stated. I pray for God's protection over them and for success in their new assignments.
Expanding the Reach of the Renewed Hope Initiative
The annual Elderly Support Scheme is a key component of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), designed to recognize and assist senior citizens across Nigeria. By including military veterans, the program aims to extend care to the elderly within military communities and beyond, acknowledging their service to the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, the wife of the Inspector-General of Police, commended the First Lady for her nationwide interventions. She specifically praised initiatives focused on empowering vulnerable groups, providing scholarships, and supplying essential healthcare consumables.
A Call for Road Safety and Collaboration
In a separate engagement, Senator Tinubu received the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). During the meeting, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed decorated her as the Grand Matron of the Road Safety Special Marshals.
While appreciating the honor, the First Lady called for stronger inter-agency collaboration and the adoption of modern technology to reduce road crashes in Nigeria. She emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of speed limits and the deployment of additional FRSC personnel during the upcoming yuletide season to ensure safer travel for all citizens.
We must embrace technology and strengthen coordination to save more lives on our roads, she asserted.
Probe into Abandoned Federal Properties
In a related development highlighting a broader government focus on accountability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to investigate the widespread abandonment of Federal Government properties across the nation.
He warned that the era of allowing national assets to decay is over. The committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Amos, is mandated to identify all idle federal landed assets, establish the reasons for their abandonment, and recommend clear actions for their recovery, rehabilitation, or disposal.
Abbas stated that these abandoned public facilities have become glaring symbols of waste and weak governance, vowing that the 10th House would not look away. These facilities represent public wealth, he said. They must not rot away. Every federal asset must be identified, protected and put to productive use. Nigerians expect nothing less.
