Lifestyle

Tinubu Launches Fresh ₦1.9 billion Disability Empowerment

By Web News 324

By ‎Oluseyi Olarinde

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled a new round of financial empowerment for persons with disabilities, PWDs, in Oyo State under the nationwide Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme, held to mark the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The event, held at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan, took place simultaneously across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

A total of 250 persons with disabilities in Oyo State received ₦200,000 each as business recapitalization grants, while the state also received a ₦50 million support fund for wider distribution within its disability community.

Represented in Ibadan by the wife of the Oyo State governor, Chief Tamunominini Makinde, Senator Tinubu said the initiative demonstrated the government’s commitment to building an economy that gives every Nigerian a sense of belonging.

“Our nation grows stronger when every individual is empowered to contribute meaningfully,” she said.

She announced that 9,500 persons with disabilities nationwide would receive a total of ₦1.9 billion, describing it as one of the largest empowerment interventions targeted at Nigerians with disabilities.

Quoting American disability rights advocate Helen Keller, she added, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. A truly inclusive society is built when we stand together and create opportunities that empower everyone to contribute their unique gifts.”

Senator Tinubu emphasised that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive growth, social protection, and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable Nigerians.

She highlighted earlier RHI interventions, noting that more than 100,000 petty traders and small business owners, including persons with disabilities, had received direct cash grants over the past two years.

“Our Social Investment Programmes have supported victims of floods, communal clashes, disasters, the elderly, widows, and orphans of our fallen heroes,” she said. “Through our Monthly Food Outreach Scheme, food items have been delivered to 22 states and the FCT. We remain committed to doing even more.”

She further announced that the RHI Governing Board had approved that the Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities will now hold annually on December 3.

Senator Tinubu also expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and his wife, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, for their continued support for disability inclusion.

In his welcome address, Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Ayodele Adekanmbi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to inclusive governance.

“Today reminds us that disability is not inability. Every individual, regardless of physical or cognitive differences, possesses immense value,” he said.

He noted that the state maintains a deliberate quota system across education, health, employment, infrastructure, and social welfare to prevent the marginalisation of persons with disabilities.

“The Agency for Persons with Disabilities remains a hub for policy implementation, empowerment, and advocacy. Our goal is a state where every person can thrive without barriers,” Mr. Adekanmbi added.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Kayode Lawal thanked the First Lady and the government for the support, promising that recipients would use the funds responsibly to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Politics

NGO Makes Case for PWDs Issues in Public Sensitizations

By Web News 313

Osun State government has been urged to sign the National Disability law and to reduce the application of charity-based approach in addressing disability issues.

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, made the call during the presentation of the report of the Equal Voting Access, EVA, survey on the July 16th Governorship election in Osun State.

The CCD believed that once the law is in force, it would make holistic provisions for funding and other matters connected with People with Disabilities, PWDs.

The presentation signed by the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities Mr David Anyaele also called on INEC to take bold steps to improve on Accessibility of Polling units for PWDs in Osun State, particularly for those on wheelchairs and crutches.

The CCD said election materials and facilities should be made accessible for all PWDs, including Form EC40H at the Polling Units, and assistive resources such as sign language interpreters, tactile ballot jackets, Braille ballot paper and magnifying lenses,

It expressed the hope that Election Day ad-hoc staff had been trained to appreciate their roles.

It called for the mainstreaming of PWDs issues in public sensitizations to reverse negative public perceptions and attitudes towards them.

CCD also urged INEC to encourage deaf voters to come with personal sign language interpreters to the Polling Unit to minimize communication gap between the Adhoc Staff at the Polling Units and the Deaf voters.

The Centre appealed to Media houses in Osun State and other media election stakeholders to take appropriate measures to mainstream people with disabilities in their narratives on the election to ensure inclusivity in media engagements on the elections.

Adenitan Akinola

Economy

FG Empowers PWDs in South-West

By Web News 495

In a bid to address economic challenges among persons with disabilities, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has organized a 3-day capacity building and empowerment workshop on income-generating activities.

The workshop, held in Ibadan for the Southwest zone, was designed to train persons with disabilities on various vocational skills.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq said the workshop was part of the ministry’s efforts at combating the challenges confronting the advancement of persons with disabilities for sustainable national development.

Represented by Director, Special Needs Department of the ministry, Mrs Nkechi Onwukwe, the Minister noted that elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against persons with disabilities, as well as, empowering them economically would go a long way in unbundling their full potential.

“I want to assure you that the federal government remains committed to doing her bit in shaping the country to become more inclusive through disability sensitive policies and programming. I, therefore, call on all and sundry to support the efforts of governments at all levels in achieving the desired goal of a country devoid of all forms of discrimination against PWDs”

“I also want to assure you that the federal government will continue to be sensitive to the needs of PWDs and support the realization of their potentials to enable them to live a fulfilled life”

The facilitator of the workshop, Mr Kolawole Taiwo said the participants would be trained on vocational skills including fish farming, mobile phone repairs and soap making.

Mr Taiwo added that after the workshop, the participants would be given 100,000 naira each as a start-up grant.

Two of the participants, Funsho Olajide and Olayinka Ileyemi commended the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for the workshop, expressing optimism that the training would give them the opportunity of having a solid means of livelihood.

Radio Nigeria gathered that 30 participants, drawn from states in the southwest attended the workshop.

Oluwakayode Banjo