The wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 9,500 persons living with disabilities nationwide with a recapitalisation grant of N200,000 each, amounting to N1.9 billion.

The financial support, delivered through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), was announced on Wednesday in Abuja in commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The First Lady also extended similar support to 250 disabled military and police veterans to boost their small businesses.

According to Mrs Tinubu, the economic empowerment forms part of the RHI Social Investment Programme, aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She said that national progress became stronger when every individual was enabled to contribute meaningfully.

Quoting Helen Keller, she 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 national progress.”

She explained that the RHI was providing N200,000 business recapitalisation grants to 250 persons with disabilities in each state and the FCT to strengthen existing small businesses and improve livelihoods.

“In addition, each state, the FCT, and DEPOWA have received N50 million to be distributed to beneficiaries within their domains. In total, 9,500 beneficiaries are receiving N1.9 billion,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu added that in the last two years, the RHI had supported more than 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including persons living with disabilities, with direct grants to expand their enterprises.

In her welcome remarks, wife of the Chief of Defence Staff and President of DEPOWA, Mernan Oluyede, commended the First Lady for her compassion and commitment to uplifting disadvantaged Nigerians, especially persons with disabilities.

She cited a UN report indicating that 1.3 billion people, 16 per cent of the world’s population, live with a disability, many of whom continued to face obstacles in education, healthcare, employment and social inclusion.

“Your unwavering compassion across all 36 states and the FCT sends a powerful message: every Nigerian, regardless of ability, deserves dignity, support, and opportunity,” Mrs Oluyede said.

She hailed Mrs Tinubu’s leadership in agriculture, health, education, social investment, and economic empowerment, noting that RHI programmes continued to transform families nationwide.

She also called for a standing ovation in honour of the First Lady’s service.

Mrs Oluyede reaffirmed DEPOWA’s commitment to complementing the First Lady’s vision by advancing initiatives that uplifted and restored dignity to families within the Armed Forces and Police communities.

The theme for the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”

Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the First Lady.

Master Warrant Officer Patrick Ocheje (retd), said the programme renewed the confidence of retired personnel.

He said, “It gave us hope that there is ability in disability. Even though we are retired, we are not tired. We thank the First Lady and pray she continues this support.”

Inspector Adamu Yahaya, who had been ill for 10 years, said the assistance “gladdens my heart,” thanking Mrs Tinubu for remembering them.

Another retired police officer, ASP Izge Margimari, said he was overjoyed at Mrs Tinubu’s gesture. 

He stated, “When I received the message inviting me here, I was very happy. In all my years of service, I have never experienced this level of kindness from a First Lady.”

(NAN)