The First Lady of Nigeria and National Chairman of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday empowered 250 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Ekiti State with N50,000,000 grant to boost their economic independence and improve their livelihoods.
Each of the PWDs was presented N200,000 cash at the event which held at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
Speaking at the event, Senator Oluremi Tinubu who was represented by the Wife of Ekiti State Governor and RHI State Coordinator, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, highlighted the importance of inclusion and equal opportunity, stressing that the initiative was part of a broader national vision to ensure that no one is left behind in the social and economic development of the country.
Senator Oluremi, who also launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment for PWDs to commemorate the International Day of PWDs, said the Economic Empowerment Programme which held simultaneously across the 36 states, would provide business recapitalization grants of N200,000 to 250 PWDs in each State and the Federal Capital Territory to help strengthen their existing businesses, enhance their livelihoods and achieve greater self-reliance.
While maintaining that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks inclusive growth and shared prosperity, the Wife of the President explained that over the past two years, the initiative has supported more than 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, support agriculture, education, health as well as provide emergency relief to vulnerable communities, victims of disasters and internally displaced persons across the country.
Expressing her profound gratitude to Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji and His Wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji for their support and for complimenting the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at ensuring that no one is left behind in the development agenda of the country, the First Lady also assured that the empowerment programe would now be an annual event for the PWDs to mark their day.
“Our 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 our collective progress.
“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 to support small business owners to recapitalize their existing businesses and strengthen their means of livelihood.
“This programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which seeks to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked and It is worth noting that, over the past two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative has supported over one hundred thousand (100,000) women petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, with direct financial grants to grow their businesses”. She asserted.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi, Commissioner for Education, Dr (Mrs) Bimpe Aderiye, Special Adviser, Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, among others top government functionaries.
