By: Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State on Wednesday, November 3 has joined the rest of the country in commemorating the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the formal launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities.
The event, held at Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu Square, drew top government officials, representatives of security agencies, media practitioners, and hundreds of prospective beneficiaries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bauchi State First Lady, Hajiya Aishatu Bala Mohammed, who represented the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said the initiative demonstrates the administration’s renewed commitment to inclusive development and the socioeconomic upliftment of vulnerable groups.
She disclosed that the programme is being launched simultaneously across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Associations.
According to her, 250 persons with disabilities in every state and the FCT will each receive ₦200,000 financial grants to strengthen or recapitalize their small businesses. This brings the total number of beneficiaries nationwide to 9,500, with each state, the FCT and participating associations getting ₦50 million for disbursement.
She urged recipients to invest the support wisely and echoed disability rights advocate Helen Keller’s call for unity: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Hajiya Aishatu Bala Mohammed also highlighted other interventions under the Renewed Hope Initiative, including support for over 100,000 petty women traders, agricultural empowerment schemes, welfare assistance for widows and orphans of fallen security operatives, and monthly food outreach programmes that have so far reached 22 states, the FCT and several IDP communities.
She commended Governor Bala Mohammed for providing an enabling environment that allows social welfare programmes to thrive in the state.
Beneficiaries who spoke at the event expressed gratitude to the First Lady and the Bauchi State Government, describing the gesture as unprecedented. Bala Bagalewu said the assistance had restored hope among persons with disabilities, while Hauwa’u Shehu noted that the support came “at the right time.”
Tata Mohammed, a community leader of PWDs, urged recipients to invest the funds productively and embrace self-reliance.
The event ended with a renewed call for inclusion and a pledge that no citizen would be left behind.
