Disabilities Leaders Task Grant Beneficiaries

Abia State leaders of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) have tasked the 250 members who benefited from the N200,000 business grant from wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to use the funds judiciously.

The leaders including Stanley Onyebuchi, Kalu Okechukwu, Ngozi Nwaguru spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend following Mrs Tinubu’s presentation of the grants to the beneficiaries in Umuahia.

They appreciated her for pledging to organise an economic empowerment programme for them annually in commemoration of the International Day for Persons With Disabilities.

She had announced the interventions at the lunch of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) economic empowerment programme for them in commemoration of the 2025 International Day for Persons With Disabilities

Represented by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, she assured that the RHI remained committed to doing even more to uplift lives and bring hope to those in need.

‎‎Describing the event as special, she said it was being launched simultaneously across the 36 states of the country, the Federal Capital Territory, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association.

‎‎The first lady noted that in pursuance of this, the RHI had resolved to hold the programme on every December 3, in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

‎She said “Two hundred and fifty PWD’s in the state will receive N200,000 each as business recaptation grant from the programme, themed, “Forstering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”

‎”In total, nine thousand, five hundred Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria will benefit from this programme, amounting to One Billion, Nine Hundred Million Naira (N1,900,000,000).

‎”This programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked.”

‎Speaking earlier, the special assistant to the governor on Persons with Disabilities and Chairman of the State Disability Commission,  David Anyaele stressed the significance of the day to PWD’s

‎”We are joining the international community to pause and reflect on the state of persons with disabilities’ participation and contributions to the socio-economic development of our State,” he said.

‎He expressed appreciation to wife of the president for the programme, and Governor Alex Otti for his numerous achivements in office including the establishment of the commission.