In a major push for economic inclusion, 1,000 petty traders within the Federal Capital Territory’s disability community have received direct financial grants and business tools to scale up their small businesses.
The empowerment drive, held at Karon Majigi—a community in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) heavily populated by persons living with disabilities—was organized by the Office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, under her flagship Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
Speaking at the event, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, stressed that empowering vulnerable entrepreneurs is a strategic economic move rather than a mere charitable handout.
“Empowering persons with disabilities is not merely a charitable gesture but a strategic investment in human capital and sustainable national development,” Mahmoud stated.
A statement from Mr Austine Elemue, SA Media to FCT Minister of State disclosed that the intervention aims to inject capital directly into grassroots trade, targeting women, small-scale entrepreneurs, and vulnerable groups to help them achieve financial independence.
It added that the First Lady’s visionary approach to social inclusion, noting that the program perfectly mirrors President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ which prioritizes grassroot economic recovery and human dignity.
It further stated that by focusing on Karon Majigi, the initiative directly addresses one of Abuja’s most concentrated communities of physically challenged residents, aiming to integrate them into the mainstream local economy.
It added that the Minister reaffirmed FCT Administration’s commitment to supporting this demographic by promising localized policies that guarantee equal opportunities, accessibility, and full participation in governance.
Dr. Mahmoud concluded by urging the 1,000 beneficiaries to meticulously manage the resources provided, challenging them to become agents of positive economic change within their immediate clusters
Adding grassroots perspective to the event, Mrs. Hailmary Aipoh, the former FCT APC Women Leader, commended the timing of the intervention.
She noted that the financial injection would serve as an immediate catalyst for growth, helping the beneficiaries expand their petty businesses in the face of current economic realities.
