Remi Tinubu unveils empowerment programme for persons with disabilities in Anambra

The PLWDs receiving Remi Tinubu's empowerment in Anambra...credit: Ikenna Obianeri

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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched empowerment programmes for Persons Living with Disabilities in Anambra State as part of her nationwide ‘Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme’ aimed at promoting inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

This exercise, which coincides with the commemoration of the ‘International Day of Persons Living With Disabilities’, is being launched simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association.

It is a programme designed to provide the sum of N200,000 business recapitalisation grants to 250 Persons Living With Disabilities in each state and the FCT to support small business owners to recapitalise their existing businesses and strengthen their means of livelihood.

Wife of the Anambra State governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, who was represented by the Deputy Governor’s wife, Lady Oluchi Ibezim, launched the programme at the Light House, Awka, on Wednesday.

The Anambra first lady noted that the initiative was a testament to the President’s wife’s dedication to empowering the less privileged in sustainable business and ensuring well-being.

Soludo, who read Remi Tinubu’s speech before the beneficiaries, stated that the empowerment would enhance financial independence and help the PLWDs to unlock their full potential.

She stressed that the empowerment showed that the government seeks to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked.

She said, “Our nation grows stronger when every individual is empowered to contribute meaningfully. As Helen Keller, the renowned American disability rights advocate, once said, ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much’, these words remind us that a truly inclusive society is built when we stand together, creating opportunities that empower everyone to contribute their unique gifts to our collective progress.

“Today, the Renewed Hope Initiative will provide the sum of N200,000 business recapitalisation grants to 250 Persons with Disabilities in each state and the FCT to support small business owners to recapitalise their existing businesses and strengthen their means of livelihood.

“Also, each state of the federation, the FCT, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association will each receive N50million, to be distributed to the beneficiaries in their domain.”

According to her, no fewer than 9,500 Persons with Disabilities across the country will benefit from the programme, amounting to N1.9 billion in total.

The first lady added that the economic empowerment programme will be held every December 3, in commemoration of the ‘International Day of Persons Living With Disabilities’.

“This programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked.

“It is worth noting that, over the past two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative has supported over 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, with direct financial grants to grow their businesses.

“Our commitment to improving lives has also been demonstrated through various interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health, and social welfare aimed at improving the well-being of families across our country.

“Our social investment programmes have provided financial and material support to victims of floods, communal clashes, and disasters, as well as to the elderly, widows, and orphans of our fallen heroes.

“Through the RHI Monthly Food Outreach Scheme, we have so far delivered food items to 22 states and the FCT. We also provide food items to Internally Displaced Persons and other vulnerable communities. We remain committed to doing even more to uplift lives and bring hope to those in need.

“In recognition of our shared responsibility to promote inclusion, the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative has resolved to make the Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities an annual event, to be held on December 3, in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities,” she added.

She urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity by ensuring the money becomes a “seed that grows into something greater; a business that sustains you and your family”.

The first lady thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his wife, Dr Nonye Soludo, for all their support.

Earlier in his remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the event demonstrates the natural commitment of the Anambra First Lady to ensuring that Anambra people are not denied any economic empowerment programme from the Federal Government.

On her part, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, said the show of love by Nigeria’s first lady reinforces the call on PLWDs to continue to strive to achieve their life ambitions, irrespective of whatever physical disability they may have.

In a goodwill message, the Anambra State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Ugochukwu Okeke, appreciated the implementation of financial support for PLWDs, which he described as a compassionate programme of Senator Tinubu, effectively implemented in the state by the governor’s wife.

He encouraged members of the association who got the support to demonstrate through their actions that empowerment yields impact when used responsibly.

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