Kebbi First Lady Champions Inclusive Development with N100 Million Grant for Persons with Disabilities

 By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbl 

In commemoration of the 2024 International Day for Persons with Disability, the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajia Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris, has disbursed N100 million to 1,000 persons living with disabilities. This initiative is part of the state government's commitment to improving the livelihood of persons with disabilities and providing them with requisite education to become productive members of society.

Each beneficiary, selected from the 21 Local Government Areas in the state, received N100,000 to engage in profitable ventures for self-reliance. Hajia Zainab emphasized that the gesture was in line with Governor Nasir Idris' policy thrust to uplift the welfare of persons with disabilities.

The First Lady stressed that the government is providing care to members of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) group, just like other segments of society. She highlighted the establishment of the Commission for Persons with Disability to look after their welfare. "We want you to enjoy life like your able-bodied counterparts and desire to take you off the streets and minimize the incidence of begging," she said.

Hajia Zainab cautioned the beneficiaries to utilize the grant wisely, as the authorities will monitor how each of them uses the N100,000 granted to them. She emphasized the need for them to invest the money for profit and self-reliance, rather than continuing to beg.

The Chairman of the Kebbi State Persons with Disability Rights Commission, Alhaji Anas Malami Gwandu, thanked the First Lady and Governor Nasir Idris for prioritizing the well-being of persons with disabilities. He noted that the establishment of the Commission provides opportunities for persons with disabilities to perform optimally and become fully integrated into mainstream society.

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, represented by the Ubandoman Gwandu, Alhaji Sadiq Ibrahim Sadiq, commended the First Lady and Governor Nasir Idris for their care and support for persons with disabilities, orphans, and the needy in the state. He advised the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by engaging in profitable ventures and shunning street begging.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Zayyanu Umar Aliero, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Shafi'u Zauro, appreciated Governor Nasir Idris and the First Lady for their philanthropic gestures over the years, particularly in supporting orphans and persons with disabilities. They noted that the government approved the disbursement of N100,000 each to 1,000 disabled persons to engage in trade and commerce for self-reliance.