By Rita Iliya
Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has disbursed N50 million to 250 persons with disabilities in Niger as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Minna on Wednesday that the initiative was launched to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Fatima Bago, Wife of Niger Governor, said the programme, executed under the RHI Social Investment Programme, was aimed at fostering inclusive growth and social progress.
She said the programme was being implemented simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and through the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
She said the initiative with the theme “Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress”, was aimed at empowering every individual to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The first lady added that the initiative would provide N200,000 business recapitalisation grants each to 250 persons with disabilities in each state and the FCT to strengthen small business owners livelihoods.
She said each state and DEPOWA would receive N50 million to be distributed to beneficiaries in their domain, bringing the total nationwide beneficiaries to 9,500 persons at a total cost of N1.9 billion.
According to her, the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring no Nigerian was left behind.
She noted that in the past two years, RHI had supported over 100,000 women petty traders, small business owners and persons with disabilities with direct grants to grow their businesses.
She said the initiative also complements other social investment interventions in agriculture, education, health, and welfare, including support for victims of floods, communal clashes, disasters, widows, the elderly and orphans of fallen heroes.
In her remarks, Hajiya Fatima Bago described the programme as a noble initiative that demonstrated the state’s commitment to inclusiveness, dignity, and equal opportunity.
Bago, represented by Mrs Mary Noel-Berje, Special Adviser to Gov. Umaru Bago on Women and Affirmative Action, noted that the programme was observed on a low key in solidarity with families of abducted school children in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
She said the initiative reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment that every citizen irrespective of physical ability, deserves access to economic empowerment and social protection.
Also speaking, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Deputy Speaker of Niger Assembly, commended wife of Niger governor for her humanity and patience.
She urged women in the state to emulate her exemplary life and advised beneficiaries to use the grants judiciously.
Abdulrahman Auwal, who spoke behalf of persons with disabilities, thanked the First Lady and wife of Niger governor for the financial support and pledged to use the funds to improve their businesses and livelihoods. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
