On 3rd December every year the world marks international day of persons with disabilities with unique themes aimed at promoting and encouraging resilience amongst persons with disabilities.
The theme for 2025 “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies For Advancing Social Progress”focuses on how inclusive initiatives can make a real difference to the lives, health and well-being of persons with disabilities, their families and society at large.
It is estimated that about 1.3 Billion people are living with different forms of disabilities characterized into Behavioural or emotional, Sensory impaired disorders,Physical and Developmental across the globe which places disability inclusion as a universal imperative.
Marking the day in Nigeria, The Renewed Hope Initiative under the Economic Empowerment Program of its Social Investment Program has provided financial support to 250 persons with Disabilities across the 36 States of Nigeria and disabled veterans from the military and police to enhance their small businesses .
Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu making the 200,000 naira per beneficiary distribution in the FCT for 250 persons with disabilities, noted that our nation grows stronger when every individual is empowered to contribute meaningful.
Represented by Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, She added that an inclusive society is built when we stand together creating opportunities that empower everyone to contribute their unique gifts to our collective progress .
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said in recognition of this shared responsibility to promote inclusion , the Governing Board of RHI has resolved to make Economic Empowerment Programme For Persons With Disabilities an annual event and encourage beneficiaries to make good use of this opportunity to invest in businesses that will sustain them with their families
Minister for State FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, represented by Her Special Assistant on Social Investment in a goodwill message said the FCT administration is working with partners in building an inclusive society in terms of better infrastructure, accessibility, education and health
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat who is the FCT Coordinator of RHI Dr Adedayo Benjamin- Laniyi said the day celebrates diverse and dynamic abilities in disabilities leaving no person behind by providing economic as well as equal opportunity for the disability cluster.
According to Dr Laniyi the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created impactful programs investing in all Nigerians including those with disabilities because their voices have been heard and they are valued.
The event witnessed display of different talents by persons with disabilities and beneficiaries taking home cash of 200,000 naira each as announced.