The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment, empowered 250 persons living with disabilities (PWDs) with cash in Zamfara State.

The gesture was to empower veterans from the military, police and other paramilitary organisations that are physically challenged to boost their small businesses.

The move was also in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) under the theme “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”

IDPD is annually observed on December 3 to promote understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

The day is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992.

Presenting the cash grant in Gusau on Wednesday, the first lady expressed delight with the launch of the Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities, under the RHI Social Investment Programme.

Represented by the Zamfara State governor’s wife, Huriyya Lawal, she said the event holds special significance as it coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, simultaneously launched across the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).

The first lady said, “The 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 the collective progress.

“Today, the RHI would provide the sum of N200,000 Business Recapitalisation Grants to each of the 250 Persons with Disabilities in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to support small business owners to recapitalise existing businesses and strengthen their means of livelihood.

“Also, each state of the federation, the FCT and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association would receive N50,000,000 each to be distributed to beneficiaries in their domain. In total, 9,500 persons with disabilities across Nigeria would benefit from this programme, amounting to N1,900,000,000.”

According to her, the 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 overlooked.

She said the Renewed Hope Initiative supported more than 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including physically challenged persons, with direct financial grants to grow their businesses.

She reiterated the federal government’s commitment to improving lives through various interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health and social welfare, aimed at improving the well-being of families across the country.

She noted that the Social Investment Programmes also provided financial and material support to victims of flooding, communal clashes and disasters, as well as the elderly, widows and orphans of the fallen heroes.

“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 families. I thank the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and his wife, Huriyya, for all the support; happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities,” she said.

Appreciating the gesture, the state Chairman of Persons With Disabilities, Usman Nahuche, acknowledged the federal government’s efforts toward assisting physically challenged persons.

Mr Nahuche said the intervention would rekindle the hope of the people.

He said, “I believe the beneficiaries will effectively utilise the grant to boost their businesses.”

(NAN)