Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 250 persons with disabilities in Kogi State through her Renewed Hope Initiative, providing business grants of N200,000 each to help strengthen their small enterprises. The event, held in Lokoja, formed part of activities marking the 2025 World Disability Day, themed “Fostering a Disability-Inclusive Society for Advancing Social Progress”.
Represented by Hajia Sefinat Ododo, wife of the Kogi State Governor, the First Lady highlighted the need for inclusivity and urged stakeholders to support such efforts. She revealed that “over 100,000 small business owners have benefited from RHI interventions in areas such as agriculture, social welfare, education, health, and economic empowerment”.
She further stated that the monthly RHI food outreach program has supported vulnerable communities across 22 states and the FCT. According to her, “our nation grows stronger when every individual is empowered to contribute their quota to the development of society”.
The First Lady also disclosed that the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association in each state and the FCT will receive N50 million for onward distribution to beneficiaries. This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targeting inclusivity and expanding opportunities for vulnerable groups.
She urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the grant, saying, “let this be a seed that grows into something greater, a business that can sustain your household and your family”. She expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his dedication toward uplifting women, children, and vulnerable groups nationwide while commending Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his continued support for citizens across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs, Hon. Yakubu Abdullhakeem, praised the First Lady for championing the interests of the disability community and strengthening social inclusion in the state.
