Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, in Akwa Ibom State, Princess Emem Ibanga has said that those living with disability are not to be pitied but supported, noting they are not a burden but contributors and carriers of inexplicable strength.
The Commissioner described empowering PLWDs as not charity but justice and inclusion, charging all to support persons with disability anywhere and give them a chance to thrive because they have potentials.
Her comments comes as the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu announced the decision of the Governing Board, Renewed Hope Initiative, (RHI) to set aside December 3 of every year for economic empowerment of Persons Living With Disability across Nigeria.
Mrs Tinubu, represented by the Akwa Ibom First lady designate, Helen Obareki, disclosed this at Government House Banquet hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, during the disbursement of N200,000 Business Recapitalization grants to 250 Persons with Disabilities in the state which coincided with 2025 Celebration of Persons with Disability themed: “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
She stated that the exercise would be conducted annually, December 3, alongside the commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, noting it would promote inclusion, uplift lives as well as hope of those in that cadre.
The First lady who stated that the programme was conducted simultaneously across the 36 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory, said in total, 9,500 Persons with Disabilities would benefit.
While noting that the initiative is aimed at supporting small business owners to recapitalize their existing businesses and strengthen their means of livelihood, the First lady urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity.
The statement in parts, “In recognition of our shared responsibility to promote inclusion, the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative has resolved to make the Economic Empowerment Programme for Persons with Disabilities an annual event, to be held on December 3rd, in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. To all our beneficiaries, I encourage you to make good use of this opportunity. Let it be a seed that grows into something greater; a business that sustains you and your family.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner Ibanga commended the governor, Umo Eno for according those with disability a pride of place in the state.
According to her, “Governor Umo Eno has ensured that those with disability are fully captured in the state’s social register, positioning them to benefit from any interventions and breaking barriers to cost in access to healthcare. Today’s event is a reminder that those with disability are not to be pitied but supported, they are not a burden but contributors and carry inexplicable strength.”
The Commissioner, who described the empowerment as not charity but justice and inclusion, charged all to support persons with disability anywhere and give them a chance to thrive because they have potential.