Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has disbursed N50 million to 250 persons with disabilities in Niger State as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme. The event held in Minna on Wednesday was organised to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Fatima Bago, Wife of the Niger State Governor, said the intervention under the RHI Social Investment Programme was designed to foster inclusive growth and social progress. She explained that the scheme was being implemented simultaneously across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and through the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
She said the initiative, themed Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress, was aimed at empowering every individual to contribute meaningfully to national development. The programme will provide N200,000 business recapitalisation grants to 250 persons with disabilities in each state and the FCT to help strengthen small business owners livelihoods.
According to her, each state and DEPOWA would receive N50 million for distribution to identified beneficiaries. This brings the total number of beneficiaries nationwide to 9,500 persons with an overall value of N1.9 billion. She stated that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which seeks inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring no Nigerian is left behind.
Tinubu noted that in the past two years, RHI had supported over 100,000 women petty traders, small business owners and persons with disabilities through direct business grants. She added that the intervention complements existing social investment efforts in agriculture, education, health and welfare, including support for people affected by floods, communal clashes, disasters, widows, the elderly and children of fallen heroes.
In her remarks, Hajiya Fatima Bago described the initiative as noble and said it demonstrates the state’s commitment to inclusiveness, dignity and equal opportunity. Bago, who was represented by Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, Special Adviser to Gov. Umaru Bago on Women and Affirmative Action, said the commemoration was held on a low key in solidarity with families of abducted school children in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. She said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment that every citizen, irrespective of physical condition, deserves access to empowerment and social protection.
Also speaking, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of the Niger Assembly, commended the humanitarian spirit of the governor’s wife and urged women to emulate her exemplary life. She advised beneficiaries to use the grants wisely.
Abdulrahman Auwal, who spoke on behalf of persons with disabilities, thanked the First Lady and the governor’s wife for the support and pledged that the funds would be used to improve businesses and livelihoods.
