The National Director of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Affairs of the City Boy Movement (CBM) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has applauded the National Co-Patron of the Movement, Mr. Amir Shettima, for spearheading a major empowerment intervention for persons with disabilities, youths and vulnerable Nigerians in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The North-East Grand Empowerment Programme, which brought together beneficiaries from across the region, featured the distribution of over N20 million in cash grants to persons with disabilities, alongside wheelchairs, freezers, Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, sewing machines, solar energy systems and other empowerment materials.
Abba Isa, who participated in the programme alongside Shettima, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, and other senior leaders, described the intervention as a significant demonstration of practical grassroots empowerment.
He expressed particular satisfaction that persons with disabilities were deliberately included among the beneficiaries, stressing that sustainable development must be built around inclusion and equal opportunities for all.
“Yesterday in Maiduguri, history was made. I celebrate the City Boy Movement for organising the North-East Grand Empowerment for youths and vulnerable persons,” Abba Isa said.
“As the National Director of PWDs Affairs, I am particularly excited that persons with disabilities were not left behind. Several wheelchairs, N20 million cash grants for PWDs, freezers, POS machines, sewing machines, solar systems and other empowerment items were distributed. This is real empowerment.”
The presidential aide commended Amir Shettima for the initiative, describing him as an exemplary grassroots leader whose commitment to vulnerable Nigerians goes beyond rhetoric.
According to Abba Isa, providing beneficiaries with productive tools and financial support would strengthen their capacity to establish businesses, generate income and achieve greater economic independence.
He also commended the Grand Patron of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, for his leadership and support, while appreciating the Director-General, North-East Zonal Coordinator, State Directors, coordinators, stakeholders and volunteers whose contributions helped make the programme successful.
Abba Isa further praised the Borno State Government and people for hosting the programme, describing the state as an example of what can be achieved when leadership deliberately promotes inclusion.
“Borno State has demonstrated that inclusion is possible when leadership and the people are deliberate about carrying everyone along. The state has set the pace, and we appreciate the government and people for their warm reception and commitment to persons with disabilities,” he said.
He linked the Maiduguri intervention to the economic empowerment and social inclusion objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is Renewed Hope in action. It is about giving people the opportunity and tools to become economically productive and self-reliant. It is about ensuring that persons with disabilities, youths and other vulnerable groups are not left behind,” he added.
Shettima Distributes Laptops to Borno Students
In a related development, Amir Shettima also extended his empowerment intervention to students in Borno State through the distribution of laptop computers to students across tertiary institutions in the state.
Final-year students were given priority under the initiative, which is aimed at supporting academic research, digital learning and students’ preparation for life beyond the university.
The presentation was carried out on behalf of the National Co-Patron by Comrade Mahmud Muhammad, Engr. Muhammad TAG, Mustapha Salihu and Comrade Shettima Umar.
Speaking on the initiative, Shettima stressed the importance of technology and education in preparing young Nigerians for the demands of the modern economy.
“A laptop in the hands of a student is more than a device. It is access to knowledge, research and opportunities that shape the future. We must equip our young people with the tools to compete globally,” he said.
The intervention was welcomed by student leaders and beneficiaries across the state.
The Deputy Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Muhammad Mamman Umar, thanked Shettima for the gesture, describing the laptop donation as timely and impactful.
Similarly, the President of the Students Union Government of Kashim Ibrahim University, Comrade Abubakar Darni, expressed appreciation on behalf of the beneficiaries, saying the intervention would help ease academic challenges and improve learning outcomes.
The City Boy Movement reaffirmed its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities, youths and other vulnerable Nigerians through strategic interventions in entrepreneurship, education and economic development.
The Maiduguri programme further strengthened the Movement’s grassroots empowerment drive in the North-East while underscoring its commitment to promoting inclusion and ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians have access to opportunities for self-reliance.
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