Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Tinubu, has disbursed N50 million to persons living with disabilities in Sokoto State as part of activities marking this year’s World Disability Day. She was represented at the event by the wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, who explained that the gesture is part of a nationwide effort to support persons with disabilities to become self-reliant.
The First Lady said the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, is empowering 250 persons with disabilities in each state, with each beneficiary receiving N200,000 as a grant. According to her, a total of 9,500 persons living with disabilities across Nigeria will benefit from the N1.9 billion intervention. She noted the programme is being implemented in all 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
“It is worth noting that over the past two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative has supported over one hundred thousand women, petty traders, and small business owners, including persons living with disabilities, with direct financial grants to grow their businesses,” she stated. She added that RHI remains committed to uplifting lives through different sectors. “Our commitment to improving lives has also been demonstrated through various interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health, and social welfare,” she said.
Senator Tinubu further explained that the initiative has provided financial and material support to survivors of communal clashes, disaster victims, widows, and orphans of Nigeria’s fallen heroes. She pointed out that food assistance has been sent to 22 states and the FCT, including internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
She commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for supporting persons living with disabilities in Sokoto. In her remarks, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu announced an additional donation of N2 million each to seven associations of persons with disabilities in the state as part of continuous efforts to empower their members.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, Umar Muhammad Sabon Birni, revealed that the current administration has reviewed and increased the monthly stipends for persons with disabilities from N6,500 to N10,000. He noted that 6,679 registered beneficiaries are currently receiving the allowance, and more will be registered soon.
“The Ahmed Aliyu-led administration has also provided Ramadan feeding centres for persons with disabilities to break their fast during the holy month,” he stated. He added that the Governor has fulfilled his pledge of providing 1,000 hand-cycles to persons with disabilities in the state. He praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his love, support, and care for persons living with disabilities, urging beneficiaries to support government policies in return.
In his goodwill message, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for prioritising people-oriented projects across the state and encouraged him to sustain the pace. Represented by Ubandoman Arkilla, Alhaji Aliyu Hassan, the Sultan assured that the Sultanate Council would continue supporting the administration.
Highlights of the event featured a para-soccer match between Governor Aliyu’s team and that of his wife, where the First Lady’s team secured a 2–1 victory. The Sokoto Para-Soccer Team also presented a trophy to the Governor’s wife, which they won in a competition involving teams from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
