As the world marked this year’s World Disability Day, 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, Hajiya 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.
According to her, a total of 9,500 persons with disabilities nationwide will benefit from the N1.9 billion intervention.
She stated “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,”.
The First Lady added “Our commitment to improving lives has also been demonstrated through various interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health, and social welfare,”.
She further highlighted that the RHI’s social investment programmes have provided financial and material support to victims of communal clashes, disaster survivors, widows, and orphans of Nigeria’s fallen heroes.
She noted that RHI has so far provided food assistance to 22 states and the FCT, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups.
The First Lady commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his continuous support to persons living with disabilities in the state.
In her remarks, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu announced a donation of N2 million each to seven associations of persons with disabilities in the state as part of ongoing efforts to empower their members.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, Umar Muhammad Sabon Birni, revealed that the present administration has restored and reviewed upward the monthly stipends for persons with disabilities from N6,500 to N10,000.
He noted that 6,679 registered beneficiaries are currently receiving the allowances, with plans underway to register more.
Sabon Birnin said “The Ahmed Aliyu-led administration has also provided Ramadan feeding centres for persons with disabilities to break their fast during the holy month,”.
He added that the Governor has fulfilled his pledge of providing 1,000 hand-cycles to persons with disabilities in the state.
The Special Adviser commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his love, support, and care for persons living with disabilities, urging beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by supporting government policies and programmes.
In his goodwill message, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for the numerous people-oriented projects being executed across the state and urged him to maintain the momentum.
Represented by Ubandoman Arkilla, Aliyu Hassan, the Sultan assured of the Sultanate Council’s continued support for the administration.
Highlights of the event included a para-soccer competition between Governor Aliyu’s team and that of his wife, during which the First Lady’s team defeated the Governor’s team 2–1.
The Sokoto Para-Soccer Team also presented a trophy to the Governor’s wife, which they won in a competition involving teams from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
