By joshua 
Tinubu’s Wife Disburses #50m Business Grant To 250 Persons With Disabilities In Ebonyi
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
The Nigeria’s first lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has disbursed the sum of two hundred thousand naira each totaling fifty million (50m) along side one bag of 10kg rice each to two hundred and fifty (250) persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in Ebonyi State to support and expand their small businesses in the spirit of the celebration of 2025 world disabilities day in the Country.
The initiative, implemented under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu is part of the RHI Economic Empowerment Programme, which provides financial support for PWDs across the country to recapitalize and strengthen their business enterprises.
The annual programme was launched simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, including beneficiaries from the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA). Altogether, 9,500 PWDs nationwide are expected to benefit from the programme’s ₦1.9 billion disbursement.
Delivering the address of the first lady at the women development centre Abakaliki, the wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State Chief (Mrs) Mary Maudline Nwifuru said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes inclusive development and shared prosperity.
The first lady expressed her commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially individuals whose needs are often overlooked.
Senator Tinubu noted that in the past two years, the RHI has provided direct financial grants to over 100,000 women petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, to boost their businesses.
The RHI National Chairman further explained that the initiative’s Social Investment Programmes have extended financial and material assistance to victims of floods, communal conflicts, and other disasters, as well as to the elderly, widows, and orphans of fallen heroes. Through the RHI Monthly Food Outreach Scheme, food items have so far been distributed to 22 states and the FCT.
The first lady added that the school of blind Opefia in Izzi Local Government Area of the State would receive the sum of one million naira with five bags of 25kg and appreciated Governor Francis Nwifuru and his dear wife for their total support in driving renewed hope initiative in the State.
The Commissioner for Women affairs and Social Development who spoke on behalf Mrs Nwifuru said the gesture from the Nigeria’s first lady reinforces the call for PWDs to pursue their ambitions despite any physical challenges, assuring them that disability should not limit their aspirations.
She commended wife of the president for the gesture and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money.
In a joyful mood, the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ebonyi State chapter Chukwuemeka Odumegwu appreciated the President’s wife for providing them with such financial support and prayed God to replenish her accordingly.
He urged well meaning individuals to emulate the philanthropic disposition of the first lady and appealed to Ebonyi State Government to assent the disability commission law to help them harness challenges facing persons with disabilities in the State.