REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
The wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, Economic Empowerment Programme for persons with disabilities ,PWDs, in Abia state.
Performing the ceremony in Umuahia, Senator Tinubu said that the programme provides N200,000 Business Recapitalization Grants to 250 PWDs per state.
She explained that the programme was designed to provide financial support to 250 persons with disabilities across the 36 states, FCT and disabled veterans from the military and police to enhance their small businesses.
Senator Oluremi who was represented by the Wife of the ABIA state Governor Mrs Priscilla Otti, said that supporting small businesses would greatly enhance livelihoods for vulnerable Nigerians.
The wife of the President explained that each state and FCT has received N50 million disburse to beneficiaries, bringing total national support to N1.9 billion and benefiting 9,500 PWDs across Nigeria.
She pointed out that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda centered on promoting inclusive growth and ensuring that no Nigerian, especially vulnerable groups, would be left behind.
She disclosed that over the past two years, RHI has supported over 100,000 women petty traders and PWDs with grants and interventions in agriculture, education, health, and social welfare.
Senator advised the beneficiaries to use the grants wisely, expand their businesses, sustain families, and contribute meaningfully to community development and national progress.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Abia Disability Commission, Mr David Anyaele, said that the programme had given PWDs a sense of belonging, and would encourage them to participate fully in Nigeria’s social and economic life.
In separate interviews, some beneficiaries Mrs Ijeoma Ibekwe, Mr Ugochukw Aginam and Mrs Ezenwanyi Peter all expressed appreciation to the First Lady for supporting the disability community across the nation and described the gesture as life-changing initiative.
Correspondent Peace Agbo reports that the launch coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the theme “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress” which is commemorated annually on December 3.
