FG to disburse N100,000 to elderly

Ini Billie, Uyo

Nigeria’s First Lady and Wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Remi Tinubu said plans are underway to begin a support scheme for elderly people across the country.

Senator Tinubu who stated that the scheme would support elderly people with N100,000 each across the 36 states of the country, announced at the weekend in Uyo during the 61st birthday celebrations of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

While eulogizing Akpabio on his achievements so far as Senate President and his developmental strides as former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Tinubu called on governors in the opposition party to support her scheme.

She particularly applauded the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for joining in the birthday celebrations despite being in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). She urged other governors in the opposition to emulate him and open a scheme when she gets to their state, saying, “Politics is over, let us work together.

“I call on governors in the opposition to support my RHI support scheme when I come to your state. I will give elderly citizens N100,000 each per state. State Governors should support us to do that just like Governor Umo Eno has done today. Politics has ended.

“We are here today to celebrate the 61st birthday anniversary of an extraordinary man, uncommon in our generation, the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator, Dr Godswill Akpabio.

“This occasion is not only a celebration but an immense opportunity to reflect on the immense contributions he has made to Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

“Senator Akpabio has continued to serve the nation diligently in the Senate. As the Senate President, he has displayed exemplary leadership, and constant unity and promoted the interest of many Nigerians.

“He’s committed to the principles of democracy, accountability and good governance is also commendable. On this auspicious occasion of his 61st birthday, I extend warm greetings and more congratulations to him,” she stated.

While eulogizing Akpabio, Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) party National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje commended the working relationship existing between the Senate President and Governor Pastor Umo Eno, despite their different political parties.

In his goodwill message, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said honouring Akpabio on his birthday was well deserved, and described him as a solid companion committed to national development with demonstrated capacity for human accommodation. In contrast, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas said the achievements of Akpabio was evident for all to see, adding that he became the point through which other governors were measured.

Abbas commended the patriotism of Akpabio, saying the Senate and House of Representatives would continue to work with President Bola Tinubu for the development of Nigeria, and urged the youths to continue to have faith in Nigeria, saying they would work to tackle the challenges of Nigeria.

On his part, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who attended Akpabio’s birthday with many his executive members and stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said the Senate President is a blessing to the state and must be supported to succeed for the betterment of Akwa Ibom.

“Today we have come to mobilise Akwa Ibom, we believe that Akwa Ibom people must celebrate our son who is making us proud. That is why we are all here, devoid of party or ethnicity, to come and say to our son, ‘Congratulations and happy birthday’.

“We believe that with our distinguished Senator, the number three man of the Federal Republic, he will bring things from the top and those of us here at home, will gather things from the floor, and put them on the table of Akwa Ibomites, and Akwa Ibomites will enjoy the dividends of democracy. That is why we are collaborating across party lines, we are expecting our leaders and showing them support.

“Let me say a sincere thank you to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for being a father to all, for taking everyone along with him, across party lines. On two occasions, I have had the privilege of being invited by the President to join him for an international conference.

“That is a man who is a father to all, and for the support he has given to our son, to emerge as the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will continue to pay our allegiance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and will continue to always support his Presidency,” he stated.

In his response, Senator Godswill Akpabio said heaven was rejoicing over his birthday, adding that it was an incredible honour bestowed on him by his colleagues to be the Senate President.

Akpabio commended members of the Senate for the confidence reposed in him and the National Assembly, as well as the unwavering faith of his senatorial district, Akwa Ibomites and the whole of Nigeria.

Saying he envisioned a greater Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Akpabio prayed for the families of those who lost their lives in the Kaduna bomb incident.

He said the 10th Assembly was people-centric and interested in the people of Nigeria, adding that he sees a brighter future for Nigeria, and said they would tinker with the laws and rejig those that need to be rejigged for the development of Nigeria.

“We will not stop changing the world because the world has not stopped changing. Climate change is changing the world daily and we, in governance must rise to the occasion in concert with the people.

“That is why the agenda of the 10th National Assembly under us is people-centric, totally people-centric. We are interested in the people of Nigeria and how we can work to carry out the last hope of all Nigerians.

“We believe strongly that even the budget that we are now working on with the Executive, they have given us the mandate to tinker with it to ensure that it meets the aspiration of all Nigerians, and we commit to do so,” he stated.