By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh
Katsina state Governor Dikko Umar Radda has charged public servants in the state to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of the masses while discharging their duties.
Governor Radda said issues affecting the citizens remain his topmost priority.
He urged members of his cabinet, top civil servants and other workers in the state to bear the interest of the masses at heart and become agents of change in their respective offices.
A Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, indicated that the Governor made this call on Thursday while delivering his keynote address at the 2-Day Retreat for Members of Katsina State Executive Council and Permanent Secretaries held in Kaduna.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Governor Radda emphasised his administration’s commitment to rebuilding public service confidence since assuming office in May 2023.
“We came up with a series of strategies to fulfil our campaign promises. The first and foremost strategy was to transform Katsina State public service into an effective instrument of good governance, accountability and monitoring of service delivery,” the Governor stated.
Governor Radda further noted several key initiatives already implemented under his watch.
“Our goal was to encourage workers in the State to restore and build confidence in handling matters affecting their respective offices.
“We desired to make workers under Katsina State consider themselves as change agents that will serve as vehicles to our destination,” he added.
Addressing the challenges of outdated systems, the Governor noted that “part of our major challenges include the use of archaic policy documents, circulars, etc, that can no longer stand the test of time.”
Governor Radda further revealed that his administration has introduced a comprehensive Blueprint outlining new policies and programmes while also reviewing existing frameworks to align with contemporary needs.
The Governor emphasised the importance of capacity building, stating that: “The need for training and retraining cannot be overemphasised.” He explained that the retreat aims to “salvage the public service in line with the New Public Management (NPM) Reform, which is designed to make it more transparent and accountable.”
Governor Radda also highlighted the establishment of the Community Development Programme: “Communities will be allowed to decide the best projects to be executed in their Communities and as well provide them with the opportunity to execute them.”
Governor Radda confirmed that funds have been earmarked for allocation to each ward across the 34 Local Government Areas.
The Governor also praised the strong synergy developed with the State House of Assembly and Judiciary, noting that this collaboration has been crucial in “oiling the machinery of Government that makes it very successful.”
On monitoring and evaluation, Governor Radda detailed his hands-on approach: “I made it a duty to constantly go around the State and inspect ongoing projects as well as discuss with people in the Communities the success or otherwise of our policies and projects.”
The retreat is being conducted by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development.
Governor Radda welcomed Professor Ibrahim Gambari and his team of resource persons.
Governor Radda expressed confidence that “at the end of the programme, participants will return home richer in knowledge and more committed to their responsibilities.”
In his welcome lecture titled: “The Role of Public Servants in Advancing Good Governance and Attitudinal Change for Sustainable Development in Katsina State,” Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Chairman and Founder of Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (CCD), explained how public servant transforms service delivery in office.
Professor Gambari stressed the essential role of civil servants in achieving Governor Radda’s vision, stating: “The Executive Governor, as the number one Public Servant in Katsina State, cannot accomplish his campaign slogan of ‘Building Your Future’ without the change of attitude, commitment and collaboration of you the top civil servants and his own carefully selected trusted appointees as public servants.”
Addressing the need for systemic change, Professor Gambari announced a decisive shift from past practices: “We shall change the past attitude from working for the few privileged class to working to build the future that promises maximum efficient public goods and services for the greatest number of Katsina people as envisaged in the Government’s 20-Year Development Plan.”
The retreat features presentations from prominent academics, industry experts and public service professionals with years of experience in advancing good governance and sustainable development.
Notable facilitators for the retreat include Prof. Mohammed Yahaya Kuta, Prof. Hassan A. Saliu, Amb. Abdullahi A. Omaki, Dr. Julius Jibril Bala, Amb. Sani BalaMr. Frank Nweke, Brig-Gen Sani U Kuka Sheka (Rtd).
On behalf of the Members of the State Executive Council and Permanent Secretaries from various ministries, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Abdullahi Garba Faskari and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Ummulkhair Ahmed Bawa, delivered goodwill messages, respectively.