- By Bridget Ikyado-Tikyaa
July 29th 2025 will remain a remarkable day in the lives of Benue indigenous, as the first lady of Nigeria,Her Excellency , Sen Remi Tinubu in a remarkable way paid a condolence visit to the Benue family on the act of terror that befell the people by armed herders in the village of Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area where over 200 persons were murdered , scores left wounded , while most families comprising of women and children displaced.
While, Mrs. Tinubu condoled Governor Alia, Tor Tiv and the people of the state over the recent massacre at Yelewata,on behalf of the Governing Council of the Renewed Hope Initiative donated the sum of N1billion to help rebuild and resettle displaced families who loss lives and property in tragedies perpetrated by marauding armed herders.
She prayed and blessed the people of Benue for holding on ,as God would fix all as we humanly tried our best
The first lady warned all perpetrators of those acts to desist or face the wrath of God,as the blood of victims have cried to God already.
When Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, Nigeria’s First Lady, introduced the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) nearly two years ago, it was more than a promise—it was a bold blueprint for nationwide transformation. Designed to uplift women, youth, and vulnerable populations. The Initiative has since blossomed into a powerful agent of change, touching lives in rural villages, urban markets, and schoolyards across Nigeria.
This is also manifested in Benue State, where Scholastica Ben-Sor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs to the Governor and Coordinator of the RHi is also advancing women’s empowerment, driving transformation and promoting gender equality and grassroots progress.
At the national level, the RHi intervention can be heard in the rustle of maize leaves on school farms, the chatter in market stalls, and the silent pride of women who are now business owners. In agriculture, the Initiative has planted real roots—empowering 20 women farmers with grants of N500,000 each, and training 80 more in modern farming techniques. It’s a quiet revolution—one that’s growing food, livelihoods, and dignity.
Looking ahead, the 2025 Youth Agricultural Programme is set to bring 100 fresh beneficiaries into the fold, with 60% of opportunities reserved for women. The program marks a shift toward gender-inclusive commercial farming, readying a new generation of agripreneurs.
One of the most celebrated successes is the “Every Home A Garden” competition. More than a beautification project, the initiative strengthens food security and family nutrition. In 2024, Veronica Kidata Mabaya of Borno State—a 62-year-old retiree—emerged the national winner, walking away with a remarkable N25 million prize. Her home garden, a lush testament to resilience, was joined by victories from Lagos and the FCT.
Meanwhile, schools are turning into nurseries of hope, as the Young Farmers Club takes root across the country. In Benue State, preparations are underway to launch its own chapter, backed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and RHI, which are equipping schools with starter kits that include everything from farming handbooks to watering cans.
Education has been another pillar of RHI’s work, with interventions both broad and deep. In Benue State, 60,000 exercise books have found their way into the hands of eager students. Even more transformative is the award of 200 scholarships nationwide for talented girls—including six from Benue—to attend the prestigious Africa School of Economics, an institution affiliated with Princeton University.
In a bold step toward digital inclusion, RHI has partnered with NITDA and Huawei to train women in ICT. The beneficiaries not only graduated with new tech skills but also received laptops and startup capital. In Vandeikya, Benue State, a modern ICT center—currently under construction—stands as a beacon for future learning and innovation.
These educational gains are further reinforced by 227 new bursaries slated for mostly female students studying to become teachers, ensuring that classrooms across Nigeria will be filled with empowered educators.
At the heart of RHI lies compassion—especially for the elderly. Through the RHI Elderly Support Scheme, 250 older citizens in each state and the FCT received N100,000 in 2023. That support doubled in the following year, along with medical screenings, eyeglasses, and essential medicines. These efforts have restored dignity and health to thousands who once felt invisible.
If you conclude that the First Lady is empowering the underserved, you will be right. Economic empowerment is a central tenet of RHI. In Benue alone, 500 women received vital business equipment—freezers, grinding machines, and more—to boost their income-generating activities. Across Nigeria, RHI’s Recapitalization Grant has reached 1,000 petty traders per state, offering them the financial means to restock and expand their small businesses. In Benue, the program’s 2024 flag-off was met with excitement and gratitude.
Reshaping social investment is key in this endeavor. Perhaps one of RHI’s most ambitious undertakings has been its contribution to social infrastructure. In collaboration with NIMC, UNICEF, and other partners, RHI helped spearhead the largest birth registration drive in Nigerian history—ensuring that every child, regardless of location, has access to identity and the benefits of citizenship.
The Initiative has also led crucial food and clothing outreaches—reaching orphanages, widows, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and underserved communities. In Benue, 1,500 people received vibrant “One Nigeria Unity Fabrics,” while toys and clothing brought smiles to children in IDP camps.
She said the provision of sanitary pads for the girl child , especially those in the IDPS was underway,as proper hygiene and well-being of the girl child was paramount too st the RHI.
The success of RHI would not be possible without its strong network of collaborators. Federal ministries, international organizations like UNICEF and Huawei, and state governments have all played pivotal roles. Notably, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has offered unwavering support, enabling smooth implementation of RHI programs across the state as he acknowledged the initiative’s stand to help curb insecurity in the state and more.
It has been a renewed hope for all. Two years in, the Renewed Hope Initiative has become more than a policy—it’s a movement. From classroom desks to farmland ridges, from freezers humming in market stalls to garden beds blooming in front yards, RHI has woven itself into the daily lives of Nigerians.
As 2025 unfolds, RHI is poised for even greater reach. More programs are in the pipeline, promising broader coverage and deeper impact. One thing remains certain: the seeds of hope planted since 2023 are thriving, and their harvest is one of prosperity, unity, and restored dignity—for all Nigerians.
Back in Benue State, Hon. Scholastica as Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, has facilitated the disbursement of N500,000 agricultural grant for 20 women farmers, and has been promoting the “Every Home A Garden” competition to enhance household food security and spotlight local innovation. Her stewardship helped Benue women actively compete and benefit on the national stage.
Beyond state borders, Ben-Sor represented Benue at a youth innovation seminar in Beijing, China, where she laid groundwork for future collaboration in ICT, agribusiness, and healthcare technology—further integrating global best practices into local development plans.
Her domestic advocacy has been equally impactful. She co-hosted the Girl Child Day celebration, initiated new women entrepreneurship programs, secured empowerment opportunities for widows, and integrated over 100 vulnerable individuals into the state’s social welfare register. Her proactive role in national forums on gender-based violence (GBV) also brought Benue into key policy dialogues and partnerships with international agencies.
Ben-Sor’s compassionate leadership is evident in her focus on elder care. Through the RHI Elderly Support Scheme, she ensured the successful support of 250 elderly citizens in Benue, and her assessments of welfare facilities across the state have led to tangible improvement plans.
Recognising the need for institutional synergy, she also established the Benue State Advisers Forum—a platform for inter-adviser collaboration, research sharing, and policy innovation, thereby strengthening the machinery of governance.
Through these multidimensional efforts, Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor has elevated the voices of Benue women—driving social justice, economic empowerment, and inclusive governance at every level. Her leadership continues to align seamlessly with the vision of the Renewed Hope Initiative, affirming that when women lead with purpose, the entire community wil rise.
- Bridget Ikyado-Tikyaa is the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Communication Strategy
