The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for providing financial assistance to widows and families of military and police personnel who died in the line of duty.
Shaibu made the commendation on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the second edition of the RHI Presentation of Financial Support to Widows of Fallen Heroes of the Armed Forces and Police.
The programme, organised by the Office of the First Lady through the RHI Social Investment Programme, was attended by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and other senior security officials.
The Army chief described the initiative as “a profound demonstration of national appreciation and solidarity” towards families of personnel who paid the ultimate price in service to Nigeria.
He said supporting the dependants of fallen personnel was both a humanitarian duty and a responsibility owed by the nation to those who sacrificed their lives in its service.
“Caring for those they left behind remains a collective and enduring responsibility,” Shaibu said.
According to him, continued assistance to the families of fallen heroes serves as a means of recognising their sacrifices while boosting the morale and commitment of serving personnel.
He noted that such support “not only honours their sacrifice but also reinforces the morale, commitment and fighting spirit of serving troops.”
Shaibu thanked the First Lady and the Renewed Hope Initiative for complementing the Nigerian Army’s efforts to improve the welfare of serving personnel and their families.
He also reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to supporting the families of its fallen personnel, promising that the service would continue to honour those who gave their lives for the country.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the families of our fallen heroes continue to receive the dignity, care and support they deserve,” he said.
The COAS stressed that the government’s responsibility to fallen heroes extends beyond recognising their sacrifice to ensuring the welfare of the dependants they left behind.
“The nation’s obligation to its heroes extends beyond their sacrifice to the wellbeing of those they left behind,” the COAS said.
The RHI financial support programme is designed to assist families of military and police personnel who lost their lives while serving the nation, while also reinforcing national appreciation for their sacrifices.
