In a major move to empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has provided business grants to over 9,500 beneficiaries under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme.

The empowerment programme, launched on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo state, coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and aims to strengthen the livelihoods of business owners among PWDs.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, noted that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Ondo State Governor, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, said each of the beneficiaries will receive N200,000 to recapitalize and expand their existing businesses.

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She also explained that, in addition, every state, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) will receive N50 million for distribution to beneficiaries within their domain, bringing the total budget for the initiative to N1.9 billion.

Today, the Renewed Hope Initiative will provide the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) Business Recapitalization Grants to two hundred and fifty (250) Persons with Disabilities in each State and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Also, each state of the federation, the FCT, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association will each receive fifty million naira (N50,000,000), to be distributed to the beneficiaries in their domain.

“In total, nine thousand, five hundred (9,500) Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria will benefit from this programme, amounting to One Billion, Nine Hundred Million Naira (N1,900,000,000),” Mr Tinubu said.

According to her, over the past two years, the RHI has directly supported more than 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, through financial grants to grow their businesses.

The first lady added that the initiative also extends support to sectors such as agriculture, education, health, and social welfare, and has provided relief to victims of floods, communal clashes, and other disasters, including the elderly, widows, orphans, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“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 (IDPs) 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 3rd, in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities,” she added.

Tinubu, however, encouraged beneficiaries to make good use of the grants, noting that the opportunity must be a “seed that grows into something greater; a business that sustains you and your family.”

Earlier, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in the state, Dr Seun Osamaye, said the state has continued to benefit from different national intervention programmes.

Osamaye, who lauded President Tinubu for initiating the economic empowerment programme, urged the PWDs to ensure the fund was judiciously spent on their businesses.

Today, Ondo state can boldly say that it has benefited from various national intervention programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

“We are immensely grateful for this support and opportunity. I can assure that the 250 persons with disabilities who will benefit from this gesture in the state will make judicious use of the fund,” she said.

Remarking, Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons Living With Disabilities in the state. Abiodun Olusegun commended the first lady for the opportunity to allow PWDs to benefit from the Renewed Hope Initiative of the current administration.

He, however, called on the beneficiaries to use the grants to uplift their various businesses and trades, urging them to also renew their support for President Tinubu’s 2027 reelection bid.

Photos: First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, presented the grants of PWD beneficiaries in Akure on Wednesday.