Osun State recorded a major support gesture for vulnerable citizens as no fewer than 250 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) benefited from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The event was held in Osogbo, the state capital, where beneficiaries received business grants aimed at improving livelihoods and encouraging self–reliance.
Speaking during the disbursement, the First Lady announced that each beneficiary would receive N200,000. She explained that the support was designed to reduce poverty among vulnerable and less privileged persons. Senator Tinubu, represented by Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke, said the initiative serves as a business capitalisation grant to help PWDs start or expand their small businesses. She further noted that similar interventions had been delivered in all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association.
According to her, the programme reflects the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes inclusive growth and shared prosperity. She said the initiative ensures that no Nigerian is left behind regardless of social or economic status. She also recalled that over the past two years, more than 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including PWDs, had benefited from direct financial grants to support business growth.
Senator Tinubu also revealed that the RHI Governing Board has resolved to make the empowerment scheme for PWDs an annual event. She said it will be held every December 3 to commemorate the International Day of Persons With Disabilities. “Today, the Renewed Hope Initiative will provide the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) Business Recapitalisation Grants to two hundred and fifty (250) Persons with Disabilities in each Station and the Federal Capital Territory to support small business owners to recapitalisation their existing businesses and strengthen their means of livelihood,” she stated.
She also disclosed that from the allocated 250 slots for Osun State, “100 was shared with APC”. In addition, she announced that each state in the federation, the FCT, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association will receive fifty million naira (N50,000,000) to distribute among beneficiaries in their areas.
Mrs Adeleke, who officially inaugurated the disbursement, praised the First Lady for her continuous support and encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds wisely. Executive Secretary of the state Bureau of People Living with Disability, Rotarian Ayobami Oyetunde, thanked Senator Tinubu and the Governor’s wife for the gesture and urged recipients to invest the grants productively.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chairman of JONAPWD in Osun State, Steven Oluwafemi Idowu, expressed appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Mrs Titilola Adeleke for remembering persons living with disabilities and supporting their welfare.
