*Empowers 4,000 irrigation farmers with fertilizers, other equipment
*Flags off distribution of 90,000 bags of grains to vulnerable households
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Katsina
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the release of ₦305 million for the payment of allowances to 565 indigenous medical students studying both within Nigeria and abroad.
A Statement by Governor Radda’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, indicated that: “The approval reflects Governor Radda’s strong commitment to human capital development and his administration’s sustained investment in education and healthcare: two key pillars of his Building Your Future Agenda.”
Confirming the development, the General Manager of the Katsina State Hospital Services Management Board (HSMB), Dr. Muhammad Nazir Shehu, said the payment includes both the regular student allowances and special project support for final-year medical students.
Dr. Shehu explained that the gesture is designed to ease the financial strain on students and allow them to concentrate fully on their academic and clinical training.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Radda’s vision of producing competent, homegrown medical professionals capable of transforming healthcare delivery across Katsina State.
“This approval by His Excellency is more than a financial intervention. It is a deliberate investment in the future of healthcare in Katsina.
“We expect the beneficiaries to honour this trust by excelling in their studies and returning to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of our people,” Dr. Shehu stated.
He further noted that, “the Governor’s decision reflects a broader and long-term strategy aimed at expanding access to medical education, strengthening the local healthcare workforce, and ensuring the sustainability of medical services across the state.”
According to Kaula’s Statement: “Since assuming office, Governor Radda has remained steadfast in his commitment to transforming the health sector from improving infrastructure and expanding access to rural healthcare, to investing in the training and welfare of medical personnel and students.
“This latest intervention adds to several ongoing reforms designed to build a resilient, efficient, and people-centred healthcare system in Katsina.
“Through initiatives such as the rehabilitation and upgrade of health facilities, the expansion of therapeutic nutrition centres, and the recruitment of skilled professionals, the Radda administration continues to strengthen the foundation for a healthier and more productive society.”
The Hospital Services Management Board expressed its deep appreciation to the Governor for his continued support and visionary leadership, assuring that the approved funds will be disbursed transparently and utilized strictly for the benefit of all qualified students.
The Board also urged the beneficiaries to uphold discipline, hard work, and a sense of responsibility, stressing that their future success would stand as a reflection of the Governor’s faith in the potential of Katsina youth to drive transformation in the health sector.
“By prioritizing medical education, the Radda administration is not only nurturing the next generation of doctors but also reaffirming its belief that the true strength of a society lies in the health, knowledge, and resilience of its people,” the Statement added.
Governor Radda empowers 4,000 irrigation farmers with fertilizers, other equipment
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s strong commitment to grassroots agricultural transformation as he flagged off the distribution of irrigation equipment and farm inputs to farmers across the state.
The event, which took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Katsina, on Monday, was organized under the auspices of the Katsina State Community Development Programme (CDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Katsina State Irrigation Authority.
In his address, Governor Radda described the event as part of his administration’s ongoing vision to empower rural communities and strengthen agriculture as the foundation of Katsina’s economy.
“Today’s event is not merely a distribution exercise. It is a reflection of our collective commitment to improving the lives of our people, especially our hardworking farmers whose efforts put food on our tables every day,” he said.
Governor Radda explained that the items being distributed — including 4,000 irrigation water pumps, 4,000 knapsack sprayers, herbicides, and liquid fertilizers — are part of his government’s deliberate efforts to make farming more productive and profitable while ensuring food security across the state.
He further noted that the Community Development Programme (CDP) was established to bring governance closer to the grassroots, empowering communities to identify their needs and drive their own development.
“When I assumed office, I made a promise that the government would no longer sit in comfort while our people struggle in silence. That promise gave birth to the CDP — a structure that allows government to listen directly to the people and respond to their real needs,” Radda emphasized.
The Governor directed the CDP to oversee logistics, monitoring, and accountability to ensure transparency and fairness in the distribution process.
He also instructed KTARDA to deploy agricultural extension officers to guide farmers on the proper usage of the tools.
“These tools belong to our farmers, but more importantly, they belong to the future of Katsina State. Use them wisely to improve your productivity and lift your families out of hardship,” he advised.
Governor Radda expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture, KTARDA, the CDP teams, ALGON, and development partners for their support in ensuring the success of the initiative.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Community Development Programme, Dr. Kamal, highlighted the far-reaching impact of the CDP since its inception.
“From November last year to date, there is hardly any community in Katsina that has not felt the impact of the CDP.
“Through numerous initiatives, we have distributed fertilizers at polling units, provided ₦50,000 financial support to widows and vulnerable women through the KT-Cares initiative, and supported smallholder farmers to boost their productivity,” he said.
Dr. Kamal added that during Ramadan, the CDP reached thousands of families with food items through community committees, reaffirming the programme’s continued focus on empowering verified irrigation farmers with modern equipment.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Aliyu Lawal Shargalle, thanked Almighty Allah for blessing Katsina with a leader who genuinely values agriculture.
He urged beneficiaries to make good use of the distributed tools, reminding them that they are not for sale but meant to enhance farming and ensure food security.
“This initiative will enhance irrigation farming, promote sustainable food production, and strengthen our state’s agricultural base,” he said.
The Managing Director of the Katsina State Irrigation Authority, Engr. Salim Suleiman described the event as historic, noting that the distributed equipment would significantly improve irrigation farming and boost the state’s rural economy.
“These materials are not for sale. They are meant to transform our farms and enhance productivity. If used properly, they will uplift our communities and improve our economy,” he stated, while appreciating the Governor for his continued support of farmers.
Speaking on behalf of all 34 Local Government chairmen, Hon. Rabo Tambaya, Deputy ALGON Chairman, commended Governor Radda’s visionary leadership and the transformative role of the CDP in rural development.
He recalled that: “This empowerment programme is another milestone in the history of agriculture in Katsina. Through the CDP, His Excellency has brought governance and development closer to the people.
“These unprecedented initiatives — from fertilizer distribution to direct cash support for widows and farmers, and now today’s distribution of irrigation farming materials to 4,000 beneficiaries — have never been witnessed in Nigeria’s history.”
He reaffirmed ALGON’s commitment to supporting the Governor’s agricultural revolution, adding that the empowerment would strengthen rural livelihoods, reduce poverty, and ensure sustainable food security across the state.
“We stand firmly behind Your Excellency. With your foresight and people-centered leadership, Katsina State will continue to grow stronger, Insha Allah,” he concluded.
The event was attended by top government officials, including Katsina Local Government Chairman, Hon. Isah Miqdad, among others.
Katsina: Radda flags off distribution of 90,000 bags of grains to vulnerable households
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to fighting hunger and malnutrition across the state, describing the challenge as both a moral and spiritual responsibility that must be confronted with compassion and collective action.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony of the distribution of 90,000 bags of grains to vulnerable households at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Monday, Governor Radda said the initiative was a direct response to the current economic hardship affecting families and the rising rate of malnutrition among children in the state.
“This event is not just about food. It is about compassion, duty, and responsibility. It represents our shared determination to ensure that no family in Katsina goes to bed hungry, and that no child suffers from malnutrition or neglect,” he said.
Governor Radda explained that the initiative followed the findings of a high-powered committee he constituted earlier this year to investigate the malnutrition situation in Katsina.
The committee’s report, he said, revealed alarming trends that demanded urgent government intervention to safeguard the health and well-being of children and vulnerable households.
He disclosed that beneficiaries of the current distribution were carefully identified using verified data from the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Community-Level Committees, and the Committee on Malnutrition to ensure that the grains reach those who genuinely need them.
The Governor stressed that while the government continues to play its part, the responsibility to care for children and protect family wellbeing must also be shared by everyone.
“Caring for our children is not just a civic duty; it is a divine obligation. When a child goes hungry or a mother cannot feed her baby, it is not merely an economic issue; it is a moral and spiritual failure,” he said.
Governor Radda also announced several ongoing interventions aimed at combating malnutrition and strengthening healthcare delivery across Katsina State.
He revealed that the state government is establishing 60 new Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) Centres in various parts of the state to provide timely nutritional support for children and mothers.
“In addition, nine existing malnutrition treatment centres located in the most affected local government areas are being upgraded to improve capacity and service delivery,” he stated.
The Governor further disclosed that plans are underway to establish a Tom Brown and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) factory in Katsina, which will locally produce nutritional supplements for malnourished children and nursing mothers.
According to him, these targeted interventions have already contributed to reducing the state’s malnutrition rate to between 8 and 10 percent.
Governor Radda linked the grain distribution to his administration’s broader social protection and food security drive, explaining that it complements other empowerment initiatives such as the recent support for 4,000 irrigation farmers under the Katsina State Community Development Programme (CDP).
He commended the Committee on Malnutrition, traditional and religious leaders, as well as development partners including Médecines Sans Frontières (MSF), for their continued dedication and collaboration in addressing the challenges of hunger and malnutrition.
“As we flag off this exercise, I urge everyone involved to handle the distribution with honesty, transparency, and sincerity. Let every bag of grain reach those who truly need it,” the Governor emphasized.
He concluded by reaffirming that governance, to his administration, remains a sacred trust between leaders and the people.
“Poverty is not just a number or a statistic; it is the story of real people, mothers, fathers, and children who deserve our attention, care, and compassion,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee on Malnutrition, Dr. Ahmad Musa Abdullahi, described the exercise as a reflection of Governor Radda’s compassion and foresight. He recalled that the committee, upon completing its assessment and submitting its report in September 2025, received immediate approval from the Governor for the current intervention.
“This effort is not just social welfare; it is an act of faith, compassion, and duty before Allah. Each bag distributed today represents not only food, but also hope, mercy, and the people’s trust in Your Excellency’s leadership,” he added.
He assured that the distribution will be carried out with fairness and transparency, with monitoring teams drawn from government agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, ALGON, and Zakkat and Waqf Committees overseeing the process.
The Coordinator of the Community Development Programme (CDP), Dr. Kamal, noted that the event coincided with the one-year anniversary of the CDP, which has touched thousands of lives through interventions in agriculture, food security, and poverty alleviation.
“Our mission has always been to take development directly to the grassroots. We thank His Excellency for his vision and continuous guidance in ensuring that every initiative truly benefits the people,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, described the initiative as a direct outcome of the Governor’s decisive leadership.
He said the grains will support malnutrition treatment efforts across Stabilization and OTP Centres, while the state government continues to strengthen health and nutrition systems in collaboration with donor agencies.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of Katsina Local Government, Hon. Isah Miqdad, thanked the Governor for choosing Katsina as the first location for the flag-off ceremony, assuring that every ward in the local government will receive its fair share of the grains.
Speaking on behalf of all 34 Local Government chairmen, the Deputy ALGON Chairman, Hon. Rabo Tambaya, commended Governor Radda’s people-centered leadership and assured full support to ensure transparency and success in the distribution process.
He noted that: “This marks about the third phase of such humanitarian intervention under your administration, and we are proud to see the positive change it brings to our people. We remain committed to ensuring that this effort reaches every deserving household.”
The event was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers like representatives from Katsina and Daura Emirates, religious leaders, development partners like MSF, and beneficiaries from across the state.
Leave a Reply