The First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday commemorated this year’s World Disability Day by disbursing N64 million in grants to persons living with disabilities across Sokoto State. A statement on Thursday by Abubakar Bawa, Director General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, said Mrs. Tinubu was represented at the event by the wife of the state governor, Fatima Aliyu.
The statement noted that the First Lady announced the release of N50 million to beneficiaries in Sokoto under the broader Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a programme being implemented across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the statement, the First Lady said the initiative is “designed to create long-term economic independence for Nigerians with disabilities.” She explained that the RHI empowers 250 persons with disabilities in each state, with each beneficiary receiving N200,000, bringing the total number of beneficiaries nationwide to 9,500 under the N1.9 billion intervention.
“It is worth noting 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,” she said.
The First Lady further emphasized that the initiative extends beyond financial aid. “Our commitment to improving lives has also been demonstrated through various interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health, and social welfare,” the statement added.
She also highlighted RHI’s support for victims of conflict and vulnerable families, noting that the programme has provided food assistance to 22 states and the FCT, including internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
Mrs. Tinubu commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his “consistent support for persons with disabilities in Sokoto State.” During the event, the governor’s wife announced an additional N2 million each to seven disability associations in the state to strengthen their existing empowerment schemes.
Providing further updates, Umar Muhammad Sabon Birni, Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, disclosed that the current administration had restored and increased monthly stipends for persons with disabilities from N6,500 to N10,000. He said 6,679 registered beneficiaries are currently receiving the allowance, with efforts ongoing to register more eligible individuals.
“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. He further noted that the governor recently fulfilled his pledge to provide 1,000 hand-cycles to persons with disabilities across the state, describing the gesture as a major boost to mobility and independence for the beneficiaries. He commended the governor for “his love, support, and care for persons living with disabilities,” urging beneficiaries to support the administration’s programmes.
In a goodwill message, Sultan Muhamma Sa'ad Abubakar praised Governor Aliyu for what the statement described as "people-oriented projects being executed across the state." Represented by Ubandoman Arkilla, Alhaji Aliyu Hassan, the Sultan pledged the Sultanate Council's continued support for the government.
The event also featured a para-soccer match between the governor's team and that of his wife, with the First Lady's team winning 2-1. Accordingly to the statement, the Sokoto Para-Soccer Team presented a trophy to the governor's wife, earned in a competition involving teams from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.