The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has distributed rice palliatives to over 1,000 beneficiaries in Yobe State, continuing the phased distribution to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), the vulnerable, and people with special needs across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
The presidential aide had earlier, on May 23, launched the distribution in the North-Central zone, starting in Karu, Nasarawa State, where over 1,000 PWD households received 10kg bags of rice and cash support, surpassing the initial target of 500 households. The distribution also extends to stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
During the distribution, Abba Isa praised Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni for appointing 15 PWDs to his administration, setting a commendable example for other governors. He urged Gov. Buni to establish a State Commission for Persons With Disabilities and appoint a Special Assistant on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities to institutionalize support for PWDs.
Abba Isa announced that the Beyond Disability Project, his office’s initiative, has been adopted by ECOWAS as a regional project. In collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the project will empower 5,000 PWDs through talent and skill development, providing training, mentorship, and resources. The project will launch on June 27, marking a significant milestone towards inclusivity in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.