Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady and wife of President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday distributed N200,000 business recapitalisation grants to 250 Persons with Disabilities in Ogun State as part of her Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme. The event, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, was organised to support existing businesses run by beneficiaries, and it coincided with the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Represented by Ogun State governor’s wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, Mrs Tinubu said the nation becomes stronger when everyone is empowered to contribute meaningfully regardless of status. She quoted American disability rights advocate Helen Keller, who once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” describing the statement as a reminder that inclusive growth comes when society stands together to create opportunities.
The First Lady explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative will provide the sum of N200,000 to 250 Persons with Disabilities in each state and the Federal Capital Territory to support small business owners to recapitalise their businesses and strengthen their livelihoods. She also disclosed that every state, the FCT, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association will each receive N50 million to share among beneficiaries in their areas.
She stated that a total of 9,500 Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria will benefit from this empowerment initiative amounting to N1.9 billion. According to her, the programme aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no citizen is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked.
Mrs Tinubu added that over the past two years, more than 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, have benefited from direct cash grants issued through the Renewed Hope Initiative. She noted that the administration’s commitment to improving lives has been seen through various programmes in Agriculture, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, and Social Welfare designed to improve family well-being nationwide.
The First Lady also pointed out that RHI Social Investment Programmes have provided financial and material assistance to victims of floods, communal clashes, disasters, as well as the elderly, widows, and orphans of fallen heroes. She emphasised that through the RHI Monthly Food Outreach Scheme, food items have been delivered to 22 states and the FCT, reaching Internally Displaced Persons and other vulnerable groups.
Mrs Tinubu maintained that the government is committed to doing even more to uplift lives and bring hope to Nigerians in need. She revealed that in recognition of shared responsibility for inclusion, the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative has agreed to make the Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities an annual event every December 3, in line with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
She urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the opportunity offered to them, saying the grant should be seen as a seed that must grow into something greater and sustain both them and their families. According to her, empowerment is most meaningful when it leads to independence, dignity, and lasting progress for those who receive it.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Adijat Adeleye, praised Mrs Tinubu for her consistent thoughtfulness, noting that the support offered would make a major difference in the lives of persons living with disabilities. She also commended Governor Dapo Abiodun and his wife for always supporting efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable citizens.
Adeleye encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds wisely and apply them toward growing their businesses and improving their livelihoods. She stated that while the government has shown commitment, beneficiaries also have a role to play in contributing positively to national growth and building a society where everyone feels valued.
The commissioner said empowerment drives like this one reflect the importance of partnership between government, civil society, and communities in enhancing inclusion. She stressed that persons living with disabilities are not just recipients of aid but active contributors to development, capable of supporting their families and strengthening the economy when given the right support.
With the beneficiaries receiving their grants, the programme added another milestone to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s continuous interventions aimed at providing security, dignity, and opportunity for Nigerians facing challenges.
