As the world marked this year’s World Disability Day, on Wednesday, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Tinubu, disbursed N50 million to persons living with disabilities in Sokoto State.
Represented by the wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, the First Lady said the gesture, implemented across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, is aimed at supporting persons with disabilities to become self-reliant.
She explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) is empowering 250 persons with disabilities in each state, with each beneficiary receiving N200,000 as a grant.
In total, 9,500 persons with disabilities nationwide will benefit from the N1.9 billion intervention.
“It is worth noting that over the past two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative has supported over one hundred thousand women, petty traders, and small business owners, including persons living with disabilities, with direct financial grants to grow their businesses,” she stated.
“Our commitment to improving lives has also been demonstrated through various interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health, and social welfare,” she added.
The First Lady also highlighted RHI’s support to victims of communal clashes, disaster survivors, widows, and orphans of fallen heroes, noting that food assistance has so far been provided to 22 states and the FCT.
She commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his continuous support to persons living with disabilities in the state.
In her remarks, Fatima Ahmed Aliyu announced a donation of N2 million each to seven associations of persons with disabilities in the state.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, Umar Muhammad Sabon Birni, said the administration had restored and increased the monthly stipends for persons with disabilities from N6,500 to N10,000, with 6,679 registered beneficiaries currently receiving the allowance and plans to register more.
He added that the government has provided Ramadan feeding centres and fulfilled its pledge of providing 1,000 hand-cycles to persons with disabilities.
In a goodwill message, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended the governor for the numerous people-oriented projects across the state and assured continued support from the Sultanate Council.
Highlights of the event included a para-soccer match between teams representing the Governor and his wife, with the First Lady’s team winning 2–1.
The Sokoto Para-Soccer Team also presented to the Governor’s wife a trophy they won in a tournament involving teams from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
Credit: Abubakar Bawa
