Oluremi Tinubu, first lady of Nigeria, on Wednesday flagged off the disbursement of N200,000 financial assistance to 9,500 persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the country.
In a statement by Busola Kukoyi, special adviser to the president’s wife on media, the first lady said the programme is part of activities marking the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The initiative, implemented under the renewed hope initiative (RHI), commenced with the presentation of the grants to 250 physically challenged military and police veterans at the Mambilla Barracks in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu said the gesture reflects her conviction that nations become stronger when every citizen is empowered to contribute meaningfully.
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“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),” she said.
Quoting American disability rights advocate Helen Keller, the first lady added, “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.”
She noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, which prioritises inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
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The first lady said RHI has, in the last two years, supported over 100,000 women petty traders, small business owners, and PWDs with direct financial grants to expand their ventures.
“Our commitment to improving lives has been demonstrated through interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health, and social welfare aimed at enhancing the well-being of families across the country,” she said.
She also announced that the RHI governing board has resolved to institutionalise the economic empowerment programme for persons with disabilities as an annual event to be held every December 3 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,” the first lady said.
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Olufemi Oluyede, the chief of defence staff (CDS), who was represented at the event, described the intervention as “compassion in action”, adding that the support aligns with earlier RHI programmes, including medical and food outreaches across several states.
