The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday empowered 250 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Ekiti with N50 million to improve their livelihood.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that each of the PWDs was presented N200,000 cash at the event held at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
Mrs Tinubu, who was represented by the Wife of Ekiti Governor and Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI) State Coordinator, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, highlighted the importance of inclusion and equal opportunity.
She stressed that the initiative was part of a broader national vision to ensure that no one is left behind in the social and economic development of the country.
The First Lady also launched the RHI Economic Empowerment for PWDs to commemorate the International Day of PWDs.
She said that the Economic Empowerment Programme, held simultaneously across the 36 states, provided business recapitalisation grants of N200,000 to 250 PWDs in each state and the Federal Capital Territory.
She said this would help strengthen their existing business, enhance their livelihood and achieve greater self-reliance.
The First Lady maintained that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
She noted that the initiative has supported over 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, support agriculture, education, health as well as provide emergency relief to vulnerable communities, victims of disasters and internally displaced persons.
She appreciated Gov. Biodun Oyebanji and his wife for complimenting the efforts of President Bola Tinubu at ensuring that no one is left behind in the development agenda in the country.
The First Lady also assured that the empowerment programme would now be an annual event for the PWDs to mark their day.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye; Secretary to state Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; Commissioner for Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye; Special Adviser, Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, among others.
