Tinubu’s Wife Doles Out N50m to 250 PWDs in A’Ibom

Two hundred and fifty Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Akwa Ibom State have received grants of N200,000 each from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

The grants were channelled through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

Speaking at the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo, the President’s wife explained that the launch conducted under the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme (RHISIP) was designed to support 250 PWDs in every state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She added that the programme would also cover disabled veterans from the military and police who had served the nation.

Senator Tinubu noted that the empowerment initiative, which coincided with the International Day of Persons With Disabilities, was taking place simultaneously across all states.

She emphasized that the initiative targeted the enhancement of PWDs’ livelihoods and businesses, with each beneficiary receiving N200,000.

“Today, the Renewed Hope Initiative will provide the sum of N200,000 as Business Utilization Grants to 250 PWDs in each state and the FCT, to support small business owners, recapitalize existing businesses, and strengthen their means of livelihood.

“Each state of the federation, the FCT, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) will receive N50 million to be distributed to beneficiaries within their domains. In total, 9,500 PWDs across Nigeria will benefit from this programme, amounting to one billion, nine hundred million naira.”she added.

The First Lady, who was represented at the launch by the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, highlighted the alignment between her programme and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She noted that, in the past two years, the RHI had supported over 100,000 women, small business owners, and PWDs with financial grants aimed at strengthening their businesses.

The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Obareki represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. (Mrs.) Inibehe Silas Etukudo—stated that “the RHI has been doing a lot in the areas of agriculture, economic empowerment, health, and social welfare to improve the welfare of PWDs and families in Nigeria,” and reaffirmed Senator Tinubu’s commitment to their well-being.

The President’s wife further disclosed that the programme had also provided financial and material support to victims of natural and man-made disasters, widows, orphans, the elderly, and families of fallen heroes.

“Our Social Investment Programme has provided financial and material support to victims of communal clashes and disasters, as well as to the elderly, widows, orphans, and fallen heroes,” she stated.

She added that the RHI Governing Board had recently resolved to make empowerment for PWDs an annual exercise, pledging a stronger commitment to uplifting lives and restoring hope to vulnerable Nigerians.

Senator Tinubu also expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno and the Coordinator of the Office of the Akwa Ibom First Lady, Mrs. Helen Obareki, for supporting her empowerment initiatives and other economic programmes, as well as for their sustained support for PWDs in the state.

The Focal Person for RHI in Akwa Ibom, Mrs. Emem Orok, confirmed that all categories of PWDs in the state were represented at the event. She commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Lady Helen Obareki for their unwavering dedication to improving the living conditions of PWDs across the country.