The First Lady of Nigeria and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 250 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Ekiti State with a N50,000,000 grant aimed at boosting their economic independence and supporting their livelihoods. Each beneficiary received N200,000 during a ceremony held at Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu was represented at the event by the Wife of Ekiti State Governor and RHI State Coordinator, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji. She stressed the importance of inclusion and equal opportunity, noting that the empowerment aligns with a national vision to ensure no citizen is left behind socially or economically. According to her, the event was part of activities marking the International Day of PWDs.
The First Lady also launched the RHI Economic Empowerment Programme for PWDs, explaining that the initiative held simultaneously in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. She stated that the programme would provide recapitalization grants of N200,000 to 250 beneficiaries in each state to help strengthen existing businesses, improve livelihoods, and support self-reliance among people living with disabilities.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the initiative reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She explained that the agenda seeks shared prosperity and inclusive growth for all groups, including those whose needs are often overlooked. She emphasized that the Renewed Hope Initiative has spent the last two years supporting more than 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners across the country. The support, she said, has also covered agriculture, education, health, and emergency relief for vulnerable communities, disaster victims, and internally displaced persons.
Expressing her gratitude to Ekiti State Governor Mr Biodun Oyebanji and his wife for backing the programme and supporting the efforts of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu promised that the empowerment programme would become an annual tradition for PWDs. She stated, “Our nation grows stronger when every individual is empowered to contribute meaningfully. As Helen Keller, the renowned American disability rights advocate, once said, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’ These words remind us that a truly inclusive society is built when we stand together, creating opportunities that empower everyone to contribute their unique gifts to our collective progress.”
She further highlighted the detailed structure of the grants, saying, “Today, the Renewed Hope Initiative will provide the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) Business Recapitalization Grants to two hundred and fifty (250) Persons with Disabilities in each State and the Federal Capital Territory to support small business owners to recapitalize their existing businesses and strengthen their means of livelihood.”
The First Lady reiterated the significance of the programme, adding, “This programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which seeks to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked and it is worth noting that, over the past two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative has supported over one hundred thousand (100,000) women petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, with direct financial grants to grow their businesses.”
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Chief Monisade Afuye, Secretary to the State Government Prof Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, Commissioner for Education Dr Bimpe Aderiye, Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion Princess Adetoun Agboola, and other top government officials, who applauded the initiative and its impact on disability inclusion in the state.
