By Simon Reef Musa
Stories from Katsina State before the emergence of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda have largely dwelt on insecurity and other forms of criminal activity. A new perspective on what is happening in Katsina State was unveiled to me when, on the penultimate Monday, I joined some media professionals to see and be convinced of what is happening in the state. No doubt, Governor Radda is passionate about turning around the fortunes of the Katsina people, entrapped in insecurity and misgovernance.
Identifying Challenges
Radda, to a large extent, has achieved the dream of rescuing citizens from the jaws of criminals through community engagement. In identifying the dialectics and dynamics that are behind the recurring sad story of Katsina State, Radda deployed his intellectual prowess by studying the issues and clearly recommending what the best measures should be taken to address the issues under the ‘Building your future’ agenda. The governor’s vision focuses on seven key development pillars intended to ensure the security of lives and property, reform public institutions, and stimulate economic development. The 7-point agenda of the Radda-led administration covers the area of security and peace building; education access and reform; agricultural transformation; healthcare improvement, urban renewal and infrastructure development; public service and civil service reform; and socio-economic and green growth support to ramp up growth and eliminate public despair and disillusionment of the past.
Security Tops All
That banditry ruled the state when Radda was sworn in as the governor on 29 May 2023 was not in doubt. If there was anything to be achieved, the governor, rightly, then, must obliterate insecurity. Three years after becoming governor, Radda has not let up in his efforts to tackle the monster of insecurity. Unlike other states, where all efforts are concentrated on the military and police to combat perpetrators, the governor, in October 2023, established the Katsina State Community Watch Corp (KSCWC) to engage communities in security to protect lives and property. The success of this initiative was applauded as a national reference point this week during the visit of Study Group 5 of Senior Course 48 from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. Kaduna State.
The success in the fight against terror is tied to Radda’s determination to support the community corps with the necessary equipment and training for efficiency. Realising the vision of fighting insurgency and criminals without enough boots on the ground makes it imperative for the engagement of community members to be engaged in providing the first line of defence for besieged areas before the arrival of the security forces to scenes of attacks. The path to sustainable peace, according to the Radda, is currently being pursued in collaboration with the government, security agencies, traditional institutions, and local communities. Without doubt, the Radda-led government has reiterated its commitment to introducing trust-building and collective responsibility in addressing security challenges, including supporting every lawful effort aimed at protecting lives, securing communities, and ensuring a peaceful future for our citizens.
Transforming Agriculture
As an agrarian state, Radda has introduced noteworthy agricultural reforms. Apart from embarking on measures to drive economic growth, food security, and employment, the administration is focused on mechanisation, input subsidies, and modernisation to transform traditional farming practices. Under the Katsina Agricultural Mechanisation Centre, the state procured 400 tractors with full accessories, 10 combine harvesters, and 1,000 hand planters. with another 6,000 solar-powered water pumps to promote dry-season farming.
To ensure the transformation and sustainability of the newly introduced agricultural programme, the state government has distributed tractors and tillers, among others, to local government headquarters, where farmers from various wards can apply. The fee for ploughing one hectare is N50,000, but the state government provides a 50 per cent subsidy to encourage tilling and reduce costs, thereby increasing farmers’ profit
Focusing On Health
Under the leadership of Radda, Katsina State has undertaken significant reforms and investments to invigorate its healthcare sector by focusing on primary healthcare infrastructure, personnel, and emergency services. The Radda-led administration has embarked on rejuvenating Primary Health Care facilities across all 361 wards, with 268 PHCs upgraded by February 2026. N26.7 billion has been deployed to upgrading healthcare infrastructure, including building living quarters to enhance rural posting and improving water and sanitation facilities. The state has established one of the largest public dialysis centres and a state-of-the-art imaging centre in Katsina, designed to reduce medical tourism and improve access to advanced care.
Education
Since assuming office in 2023, the Radda-led government has commenced a silent revolution in the education sector by focusing on infrastructure development, digital literacy, and teacher training, with a target of inclusive access to quality education. In the last three years, the administration has devoted roughly a quarter of the annual budget (over N120 billion) to changing the state’s educational landscape.
Some of the infrastructure education includes the Model Smart Schools and Infrastructure in Radda, Damurkul, and Jikamshi. Penultimate Tuesday, the Model Secondary School in Radda, Charanchi LGA, was commissioned. The model schools adopt a merit-based, inclusive admission process focused on children from public schools and target disadvantaged backgrounds. The smart school features modern residential facilities, ICT-fitted classrooms, science laboratories, and 24-hour electricity/internet access, and is equipped with solar power. Radda noted the vision for these schools was conceived over three decades ago and is designed to create a “laboratory for Africa’s educational renaissance” by nurturing future leaders and innovators.
The state has also recruited 7,325 teachers, and more than 18,000 teachers have received professional training. Additionally, over 20,000 Samsung Galaxy tablets and laptops have been distributed to teachers to encourage digital literacy. Scholarships worth over N7 billion have been awarded to students within and outside Nigeria. This includes N640 million for tertiary students for the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 sessions.
Governor Radda has not left anyone in doubt that, though committed to the safety of Katsina, he is walking the talk in building a new future for the State