World Disability Day: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Offers Business Support To 9500 PWDs

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has provided a financial support of N200,000 each to 9,500 Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, across the country.

The First Lady flagged off the disbursement with 250 physically challenged military and police veterans at Mambilla Barracks, Abuja, to mark this year’s World Disability Day

Senator Tinubu stated her conviction that the nation grows stronger when every individual is empowered to contribute meaningfully.

Her words; “This event holds special significance as it coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and is being launched simultaneously across the 36 States of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).

“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”.

Flagging of the disbursement at the Mambilla Barracks, Abuja for 250 disabled veterans from the military and police, the First Lady says fostering a disability-inclusive society is a sure pathway to advancing social progress.

“This programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, 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 one hundred thousand (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”.

Since it was initiated in 2023, Renewef Hope Initiative, through the business recapitalization scheme has strengthened over 100,000 businesses, including PWDs with grants. There is more to come, says the First Lady.

“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 3rd, in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

“To all our beneficiaries, I encourage you to make good use of this opportunity. Let it be a seed that grows into something greater; a business that sustains you and your family”.

For the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, who was represented, the interventions is a clear demonstration of compassion in action.

This provision of financial support to people with disabilities echoes past and ongoing interventions by Renewed Hope Initiative under its social investment scheme, including medical and food outreach to states.