The wife of the Governor of Rivers State, Valerie Fubara, has called for a renewed collective commitment toward improving the lives of persons with disabilities in the state.

Mrs. Fubara stated this while speaking on behalf of the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at an event organised by the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative to mark the 2025 International Disability Day at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

She urged privileged individuals and organisations to collaborate in building a society where no one, regardless of physical condition, is left behind.

She said the Rivers State office of the Renewed Hope Initiative would partner with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to promote an inclusive society where the rights and privileges of all citizens are respected and protected.

According to her, the Renewed Hope Initiative in Rivers State remains firmly committed to creating an inclusive environment for people with special needs because “disability is not a tragedy; the tragedy is the discrimination, silence, and exclusion.”

Mrs. Fubara noted that fostering inclusion is not the responsibility of the government alone, calling on schools, places of worship, employers, and the wider citizenry to show compassion and embrace persons with disabilities as equal members of society.

She encouraged people with special needs not to allow anyone to silence them or make them feel inferior, stressing that they are an integral part of the future of Rivers State and deserve to be valued.

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At the event, she announced a business recapitalisation grant of ₦200,000 each for 250 beneficiaries with disabilities.

Mrs. Fubara also commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for consistently extending support to the people of Rivers State through the Renewed Hope Initiative, urging women groups and other stakeholders present to join hands in building a state where disability does not hinder the fulfillment of personal dreams and destinies.

Speaking in her personal capacity, Mrs. Fubara said a nation grows stronger when every citizen is empowered to contribute meaningfully to development.

She added that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of ensuring that no one is left behind.

The Governor’s wife noted that in the past two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative has supported over 100,000 women petty traders, small business owners, and persons with disabilities through direct financial grants to help grow their enterprises across the country.

She further pledged that the economic empowerment programme for persons with disabilities will become an annual event in Rivers State, to be held every December 3rd.