First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday empowered 250 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Anambra with N200,000 each to support and expand their businesses.
The empowerment was carried out
under the Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme of the First Lady.
The empowerment, rolled out simultaneously across the 36 states and the FCT, targeted a total of 9,500 beneficiaries nationwide, with a cumulative grant of N1.9 billion.
Delivering the First Lady’s message, the Wife of the Anambra Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to promote inclusive growth and ensuring no Nigerian is left behind
Soludo who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluchi Ibezim, said the programme prioritises persons whose needs are often overlooked.
“This empowerment is not charity. It is an investment in your abilities, your dreams and your rightful place in society.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind by strengthening economic independence for vulnerable groups.
“Under RHI, more than 100,000 women petty traders, small business owners and PWDs have been supported with financial grants in the last two years.
“It also provided assistance to victims of floods, communal conflicts, disasters, the elderly, widows and orphans of fallen heroes.
“The RHI Monthly Food Outreach Scheme has delivered food items to 22 states and the FCT,” she said.
Tinubu urged the beneficiaries expand small businesses, start new ventures and improve their income-earning capacity.
Also speaking, the Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, urged beneficiaries to invest the funds wisely so they can become sustainable sources of livelihood.
In his remarks, Mr Ugochukwu Okeke, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Anambra chapter, commended President’s Wife Tinubu for the compassionate initiative.
Okeke also lauded Mrs Soludo for effectively implementing it in the state.
He encouraged beneficiaries to use the grants responsibly to show that empowerment programmes can yield measurable impact.
