First Lady Remi Tinubu Delivers N1 Billion Lifeline Support to Benue Victims of Yelewata Massacre.
By Raymond Enoch
Two Years of Renewed Hope Initiative: Benue Feels Impact
Makurdi, July 29, 2025 –
It was a day soaked in emotion, empathy, and hope as the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Bola Ahmed Tinubu, paid a solemn condolence visit to the heart of Benue State—where grief hangs heavy following a deadly attack by armed herders in Yelewata, Guma LGA. The tragic assault claimed over 200 lives, wounded scores, and left families—mostly women and children—displaced and destitute.
Senator Tinubu, in her first visit to the state since the massacre, arrived with not just words of comfort but concrete action. On behalf of the Governing Council of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), she announced a N1 billion donation to support the resettlement and rehabilitation of victims—underscoring the federal government’s commitment to healing and rebuilding shattered communities.
“To the people of Benue, may God heal your wounds. Humanly, we do what we can—but God will do what we cannot,” she said in a stirring message, invoking divine justice. “Let those behind these acts of terror know: the blood of the innocent cries out to God.”
Her visit, while deeply spiritual and compassionate, also spotlighted the far-reaching impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative, which marked its second anniversary this July. Launched in 2023 under her visionary leadership, RHI has evolved into a transformative force across Nigeria—one that uplifts women, empowers youth, and reaches the most vulnerable with dignity and opportunity.
In Benue, the impact of RHI is both visible and deeply felt. Through the stewardship of Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs and the state coordinator for RHI, thousands of lives have been transformed.
Benue’s women farmers are now leading a quiet revolution—20 of them recently received N500,000 each, while 80 others have undergone training in climate-smart agriculture. The state is set to welcome 100 new beneficiaries through the 2025 Youth Agricultural Programme, with women taking up 60% of those slots—marking a powerful shift toward gender-inclusive agribusiness.
From Farm to Family: Food, Education & Empowerment
Household food security is also at the center of RHI’s celebrated “Every Home A Garden” competition. Encouraging families to grow what they eat, the campaign has yielded lush home gardens and even national recognition. In 2024, a 62-year-old widow from Borno, Veronica Kidata Mabaya, walked away with N25 million for her innovative garden—a symbol of resilience.
Plans are underway to launch the Young Farmers Club across local schools, equipping students with starter kits and agricultural handbooks. Already, 60,000 exercise books have been distributed in the state—providing vital learning tools to underserved communities.
At the tertiary level, six bright girls from Benue were awarded full scholarships to the prestigious Africa School of Economics—a move that not only empowers but also positions the state’s daughters on global academic platforms.
RHI’s ICT drive—powered by partnerships with NITDA and Huawei—has opened new digital frontiers for women. In Benue, a state-of-the-art ICT center in Vandeikya is currently under construction, while women across the state have received laptops, training, and startup grants to launch their own tech ventures.
Senator Tinubu’s initiative has also been deeply responsive to health and dignity needs. From the upcoming distribution of sanitary pads for girls in IDP camps, to the Elderly Support Scheme that disbursed N100,000 each to 250 senior citizens, RHI has prioritized holistic welfare.
Across Benue, 500 women have received business equipment—from freezers to grinding machines—to jumpstart or expand their ventures. The Recapitalization Grant has enabled 1,000 petty traders per state, including Benue, to restock their shops, reinvest in their businesses, and chart paths out of poverty.
The program also continues to reach Nigeria’s most forgotten—orphans, widows, and displaced persons—through targeted food, clothing, and psychosocial support initiatives. In Benue alone, 1,500 people received the symbolic “One Nigeria Unity Fabrics”, reinforcing national solidarity.
Much of this progress has been driven by Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor, whose grassroots advocacy has placed Benue women and children at the forefront of national development. From co-hosting Girl Child Day celebrations, to securing empowerment programs for widows and the elderly, her voice has resonated powerfully in policy circles.
Internationally, her recent participation in a Youth Innovation Seminar in Beijing opened new channels for collaboration in agritech, ICT, and healthcare—expanding RHI’s vision beyond borders.
Back home, she spearheaded the creation of the Benue State Advisers Forum—a policy think tank that fosters collaboration across sectors to amplify impact.
Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, in welcoming the First Lady, reaffirmed his administration’s support for the RHI, noting its role in improving livelihoods and reducing insecurity.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative is not just rebuilding homes—it is rebuilding dignity,” he said. “We will continue to support and expand its reach across Benue.”
As 2025 progresses, the message from Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s visit is clear: while tragedy may visit a people, it is compassion, action, and unity that must remain. The seeds of hope planted by the Renewed Hope Initiative are beginning to sprout—across Benue and beyond. And from these seeds, a stronger, more resilient Nigeria is growing.
