No fewer than 1,638 families of police officers killed in the line are to receive financial support totalling N819 million from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to help them rebuild their livelihoods.
One thousand, three hundred and fifteen of the widows will receive N657,500,000 from the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, while 323 others will get N161,500,000 from the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
Each of the widows is expected to receive N500,000 under the programme, organised by the Office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the RHI Social Investment Programme.
Yesterday’s presentation of the sum by Senator Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday, is the second edition of the initiative since the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration came into office on May 29, 2023.
In attendance at the ceremony were Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) Olufemi Oluyede; Service Chiefs; the Inspector-General of Police(IG) Tunji Disu; wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; wife of the Senate President, Ekaette Akpabio; President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA Funmilola Disu; and wives of heads of security agencies.
The First Lady said: ‘Today( yesterday), 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.
‘Today(yesterday), 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’.
She disclosed that the beneficiaries’ bank accounts are already being credited, explaining that the presentation at the event was only symbolic.
‘As I speak, your accounts are being credited. This is just a symbolic presentation. God will bless and prosper whatever business venture you all engage in.’
She 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.
Senator Tinubu urged the women not to see themselves as victims of their losses, describing them instead as survivors who had demonstrated extraordinary courage by holding their families together after losing their husbands in the service of the nation.
She acknowledged the enormous responsibilities the widows had shouldered as military and police spouses, saying they had stood behind their husbands, kept the home front and continued to care for their children despite the pain of losing their partners in the line of duty.
‘We at the Renewed Hope Initiative recognise that the widows are not victims; they are survivors. You have shown extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, and we are here to offer a helping hand as we chart a new path forward’, the First Lady said.
According to the First Lady, the path of a military spouse is marked by sacrifice, uncertainty and the constant awareness of the risks faced by a loved one serving the country.
‘The path of a military spouse is not an easy one; it is a journey filled with uncertainty, sacrifice, and ever-present awareness of the inherent risk that comes with loving someone who serves a dear nation.
‘You brave women have stood by your husbands, keeping the home front, offering unwavering support and love. Also, you have felt the immense pain of losing your loved ones in line of duty.
‘I applaud and acknowledge the strength, resilience, and sacrifices you too have made for our dear country.
She thanked CDS Oluyede and IG Disu for assisting the RHI in compiling a comprehensive list and details of widows of fallen personnel from 2023 to date.
The First Lady also conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to the families, saying the President recognised and honoured the sacrifices of those who died in service to Nigeria.
‘The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, honours and appreciates the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in service of our nation’, she said.
CDS 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 defence of the country.
Gen. Oluyede urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously, particularly for their families’ welfare, children’s education and future development.
IG Disu described the intervention as an extraordinary demonstration of compassion and patriotism towards families whose loved ones paid the supreme price for Nigeria.
He 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.
One of the beneficiaries, Salomi Gwaza, widow of the late Commander G.Y. Gwaza, who died during an operation to rescue 59 persons on July 30, 2024, said the N500,000 would help her expand her existing business.
‘The loss of a spouse comes with a lot of responsibility. For me, there is already an existing business, so I’ll be able to put in that fund to boost my business, so I can have more goods at the store’, she said, thanking the First Lady for remembering the families of fallen personnel.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, whose husband, Major Segun Oni, died I in Zungeru, Niger State on August 13, 2023, said the intervention reassured the widows that they had not been forgotten.
Oni, who said she suspended her fashion business for about a year following her husband’s death before restarting it, said she would invest the N500,000 assistance in the business.
‘At some point in time, one would think that we are forgotten. We are really grateful for this welfare’, she said.