Tinubu’s wife gives N50m grants to 250 people with disabilities in Ogun

The wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun who represented Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu during Renewed Hope Initiatives economic empowerment for people living with disabilities in Ogun State.

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Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady and wife of President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday distributed N200,000 as recapitalisation business grants to 250 people living with one form of disability or another in Ogun State.

The gesture under Mrs Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities, and which is an offshoot of RHI Social Investment Programme, coincided with the celebration of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The President’s wife, represented by Ogun State governor’s wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, while speaking during the distribution of the financial support to the beneficiaries at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, emphasised that the nation grows stronger when every individual, irrespective of status, is empowered to contribute meaningfully.

Quoting Helen Keller, the renowned American disability rights advocate, who once said that “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” Mrs Tinubu said that these words are a reminder that a truly inclusive society is built when people stand together, creating opportunities that empower everyone to contribute their unique gifts to national progress.

She explained that, “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 Federal Capital Territory 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 N50m to be distributed to the beneficiaries in their domain.

“In total, 9,500 Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria will benefit from this programme, amounting to N1.9bn.”

The first lady said that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President 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.

She added 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.

Mrs Tinubu said that the commitment of the present administration 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.

She stated that RHI 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.

Mrs Tinubu explained that through the RHI Monthly Food Outreach Scheme, food items had so far been delivered to 22 States and the FCT, as well as to Internally Displaced Persons and other vulnerable communities.

She stated that the government of Tinubu remains committed to doing even more to uplift lives and bring hope to those in need.

Mrs Tinubu said that in recognition of the 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 urged all beneficiaries to make good use of this opportunity and let it be a seed that grows into something greater, a business that sustains them and their family.

In her short remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Adijat Adeleye, hailed Mrs Tinubu for her thoughtfulness at all times, saying that the support would make a lot of difference in the lives of the members of the disabled community.

Adeleye also lauded Gov Dapo Abiodun and his wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, saying that they have always been given adequate support to make life a lot comfortable for the people living with disabilities.

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries of the humanitarian acts to use the funds judiciously to uplift their livelihoods, even as they continue to contribute their quota to the country’s greatness.

Persons living with disabilities in Nigeria face significant challenges, including widespread stigma, discrimination, and barriers to accessing essential services like education, healthcare, and employment, despite the existence of laws such as the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

Key issues include poor implementation of laws due to inadequate funding and weak enforcement, a lack of accessible infrastructure, a shortage of professionals and rehabilitation services, and a lack of reliable data on the disability community.

It is, however, believed that interventions such as the type being championed by Mrs Tinubu would go a long way to provide support and make life much more comfortable for the people living with disabilities.

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