First Lady Oluremi Tinubu launches bold N1.9bn support scheme for PWDs
Lagos First LaDY, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat with some of the beneficiaries at the State House, Lagos on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday launched a nationwide economic empowerment programme worth N1.9 billion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), declaring that the country grows stronger “when every individual is empowered to contribute meaningfully.”
The First Lady was represented at the Lagos launch, held at the State House, Ikeja, by the Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu said the initiative rolled out simultaneously across all 36 states, the FCT, and DEPOWA, was designed to ensure that PWDs are not excluded from national progress.
She told the gathering: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Quoting Helen Keller, she added that the message captures the spirit behind the programme: “A truly inclusive society is built when we stand together, creating opportunities that empower everyone to contribute their unique gifts to our collective progress.”
Dr. Sanwo-Olu speaking at the event
The First Lady stated that under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme, 250 PWDs in every state and the FCT would receive N200,000 business recapitalisation grants, targeted at strengthening small businesses and securing livelihoods.
In addition, she announced that each state, the FCT and DEPOWA will receive N50 million for distribution to beneficiaries in their domains.
In total, 9,500 Nigerians living with disabilities will benefit from the intervention, amounting to N1.9 billion.
Mrs Tinubu stressed that the programme was aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which, according to her, aims to “promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked.”
She recalled that the Renewed Hope Initiative had, in just two years, extended support to over 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities.
Beyond financial grants, she noted that the Initiative had also delivered interventions in agriculture, education, health, economic empowerment, and social welfare, and had consistently provided relief materials to victims of disasters, communal conflicts, widows, the elderly, orphans of fallen heroes, Internally Displaced Persons, and other vulnerable groups.
On food security, the First Lady stated: “Through the RHI Monthly Food Outreach Scheme, we have so far delivered food items to 22 states and the FCT. We remain committed to doing even more to uplift lives and bring hope to those in need.”
She further announced that the RHI Governing Board had resolved to institutionalise the empowerment programme as an annual event every 3rd December, in honour of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Addressing beneficiaries, she urged prudent use of the grants, saying “Let it be a seed that grows into something greater; a business that sustains you and your family.”
Tinubu also expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for supporting the rollout of the programme in Lagos.
