As the world marked the 2025 World Disability Day, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Tinubu, has 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 Nigerian 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 that over the past two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative has supported over 100,000 women, petty traders, and small business owners, including persons living with disabilities, with direct financial grants to grow their businesses.
The First Lady 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.
Mrs Oluremi Tinubu 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.
The Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended Governor Aliyu for the numerous people-oriented projects being executed across the state and urged him to maintain the momentum. Represented by Ubandoman Arkilla, Alhaji Aliyu Hassan, the Sultan assured the Sultanate Council’s continued support for the administration.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, Umar Muhammad Sabon Birni, revealed that the Aliyu administration has restored and reviewed upward the monthly stipends for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) from N6,500 to N10,000, noting that 6,679 registered beneficiaries are currently receiving the allowances, with plans underway to register more.
He said the Governor has fulfilled his pledge of providing 1,000 hand-cycles to persons with disabilities in the State.
Highlight 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 by 2–1.
Editor: Ken Eseni
