By Lanre Oloyede
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, on Saturday joined the National Co-Patron Mr. Amir Shettima, the Director-General, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga and other top leaders of the Movement in a major empowerment programme for persons with disabilities, youths and other vulnerable persons in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The North-East Grand Empowerment Programme, which attracted beneficiaries from across the region, witnessed the distribution of over N20 million in cash grants and empowerment materials, including wheelchairs, freezers, Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, sewing machines and solar energy systems.
Hon. Abba Isa described the intervention as a historic demonstration of the City Boy Movement’s commitment to inclusive empowerment and grassroots development, particularly under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking after the empowerment programme, the presidential aide expressed delight that persons with disabilities were deliberately included among the beneficiaries.
He said the gesture reflected the growing commitment of the City Boy Movement to the principle of inclusion and ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in national development.
“Yesterday in Maiduguri, history was made. I celebrate the City Boy Movement for organising the North-East Grand Empowerment for youths and vulnerable persons.
“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,” Abba Isa said.
The National Director of PWDs Affairs commended the National Co-Patron of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Amir Shettima, for flagging off the grand empowerment programme in Maiduguri, describing him as an exemplary grassroots leader with a strong commitment to vulnerable Nigerians and disability inclusion.
According to him, Shettima’s intervention has further demonstrated that meaningful empowerment must go beyond rhetoric by providing beneficiaries with practical tools and resources capable of improving their economic independence and livelihoods.
Abba Isa also applauded the Grand Patron of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, for providing visionary leadership for the Movement, as well as the Director-General, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, the North-East Zonal Coordinator, State Directors, Coordinators, stakeholders and volunteers across the six states of the North-East.
He said their collective efforts contributed significantly to the success of the empowerment programme.
The presidential aide further commended the Borno State Government and people of the state for hosting the programme and creating what he described as a disability-friendly environment.
“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.
Abba Isa noted that the Maiduguri empowerment programme was a practical reflection of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic empowerment, social inclusion and support for vulnerable populations.
“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.
Laptops Distributed to Borno Students
In a related development, the National Co-Patron of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Shettima Kashim Shettima (Amir), also distributed laptop computers to students in Borno State as part of his commitment to human capital development and academic excellence.
The laptops were distributed to students across tertiary institutions in the state, with priority given to final-year students.
The presentation was carried out by Comrade Mahmud Muhammad, Engr. Muhammad TAG, Mustapha Salihu and Comrade Shettima Umar on behalf of the National Co-Patron.
Speaking on the initiative, Amir Shettima said education remained the foundation of sustainable development and self-reliance, stressing the need to equip young Nigerians with the technological tools required to compete in a rapidly changing global environment.
“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.
Deputy Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Muhammad Mamman Umar, thanked the National Co-Patron on behalf of Borno students, describing the donation as timely and impactful.
He said the laptops would significantly support research, academic projects and digital learning among the beneficiaries.
“This kind of direct support for our academics is commendable. It demonstrates a clear commitment to the future of Borno students and to building capacity through education,” Umar said.
Similarly, the President of the Students Union Government of Kashim Ibrahim University, Comrade Abubakar Darni, expressed appreciation to Amir Shettima on behalf of the beneficiaries.
He said the donation would ease academic challenges and improve learning outcomes for students, particularly those in their final stages of tertiary education.
The City Boy Movement reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people, persons with disabilities and vulnerable Nigerians through strategic interventions in education, entrepreneurship and economic development.
The Maiduguri programme, stakeholders said, has further strengthened the Movement’s grassroots mobilisation drive across the North-East, while reinforcing its message of inclusion and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
