The First Lady of Nigeria and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the RHI Economic Empowerment Programme for persons with special needs in Akwa Ibom State, distributing N50 million to beneficiaries to mark the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Speaking at the event held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the First Lady announced that 250 persons living with disabilities in each state and the Federal Capital Territory have received N200,000 business recapitalisation grants to support the growth or revival of their existing businesses.
Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Etukudo, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, conveyed Senator Tinubu’s message, noting that the programme was designed to strengthen the livelihoods of Nigerians living with disabilities and ensure their inclusion in national development.
She stated that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity by ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked.
Senator Tinubu further explained that each state and the FCT received N50 million for onward distribution to beneficiaries, amounting to N50 million for 9,500 Nigerians living with disabilities nationwide.
In addition, she announced that the empowerment programme for persons with disabilities, valued at N1.9 billion nationwide, will henceforth hold annually on December 3.
“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,” she said.
The First Lady expressed appreciation to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and the First Lady Designate, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, for their support in hosting the event.
The State RHI Focal Person, Mrs. Emem Orok, praised Senator Tinubu for positively impacting the lives of Akwa Ibom people through various RHI programmes.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga; Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Council, Hon. Glory Effiong; and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Persons with Disabilities, Mrs. Nnene Bassey. They commended the First Lady for her compassionate commitment to inclusivity and her thoughtful financial support for vulnerable groups across the country.
The highlight of the programme was the symbolic presentation of support to beneficiaries from six PWD clusters, along with others who received N200,000 credit alerts during the event, which featured cultural performances by the Council for Arts and Culture.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
