Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday marked the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a nationwide business support programme benefiting 9,500 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The initiative, implemented under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), provides N200,000 financial support to each beneficiary, bringing the total disbursement to N1.9 billion.
The First Lady formally launched the scheme at Mambilla Barracks in Abuja, where 250 physically challenged military and police veterans received their grants.
Mrs Tinubu said the gesture reinforces the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, noting that the country becomes stronger “when every individual 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, the FCT, and DEPOWA,” she said.
Quoting American disability rights advocate Helen Keller, she added:
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
The First Lady said fostering a disability-inclusive society remains a priority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to ensure no Nigerian is left behind.
She said the Renewed Hope Initiative has, in the last two years, supported more than 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including PWDs, with financial grants.
RHI’s business recapitalisation scheme, introduced in 2023, has strengthened over 100,000 small businesses nationwide, she noted, with more interventions planned in agriculture, education, health, economic empowerment, and social welfare.
Mrs Tinubu also announced that the empowerment programme for Persons with Disabilities will now hold annually on December 3 in commemoration of the global disability awareness day.
Urging beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity, she said:
“Let it be a seed that grows into something greater; a business that sustains you and your family.”
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
