…Rivers gets N50m, 250 beneficiaries enrolled in free healthcare
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has rolled out a nationwide empowerment programme for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and disabled veterans, disbursing N1.9 billion under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme.
The Rivers State phase of the programme took place on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, themed “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, wife of the Rivers State governor, represented Senator Tinubu and presented business grants to beneficiaries.
Under the initiative, each of the 36 states, the FCT, and DEPOWA will receive N50 million for the empowerment of 250 PWDs per state. Each beneficiary will receive a N200,000 business recapitalisation grant—bringing the national total to 9,500 beneficiaries.
Senator Tinubu said the timing was deliberate to honour the global day dedicated to PWDs. She restated her commitment to inclusive growth, saying Nigeria becomes stronger when all citizens have equal opportunity to contribute.
Quoting Helen Keller, she added: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
She encouraged beneficiaries to use the grant wisely and highlighted ongoing RHI interventions in agriculture, education, health and social welfare.
The First Lady also announced that the RHI Governing Board has approved an annual empowerment programme for PWDs to be held every December 3.
Lady Valerie Fubara assured that the Renewed Hope Initiative in Rivers State will partner the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to deepen inclusion. She reminded society that disability is not a tragedy, saying: “You are not defined by limitations but by your strength, creativity and brilliance.”
She confirmed that 250 beneficiaries in the state received the N200,000 grant, urging them to grow the funds into sustainable ventures.
In a major support effort, Dr. Vetty Agala, Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, announced the free enrollment of all 250 beneficiaries into the state’s health insurance scheme. They will now access primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services at no cost.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lorenta Davis-Dimkpa, disclosed that steps were underway to establish a South-South office for the Disability Commission and domesticate the 2018 Disability Act in Rivers State.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili commended both federal and state governments for prioritising disability inclusion.
State RHI Coordinator, Hon. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, said the empowerment was designed to uplift real PWDs and disabled veterans by strengthening their small businesses.
Speaking for the beneficiaries, Kie Obomanu thanked the First Lady and called for full implementation of disability laws to end discrimination.
The Rivers State Ministry of Health later conferred a Universal Health Coverage Ambassador Award on Lady Valerie Fubara for her support in expanding access to healthcare.
