The Katsina State Government has dismissed media speculations it purchased 40,000 goats under the newly launched goat rearing initiative for a whopping N5.7b.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on livestock production and grazing,Yusuf Suleiman Jibia,told newsmen that contrary to reports,the N5.7 was figure budgeted for the entire project, which has several components and not the purchase of goats alone
He said: ”The goat rearing initiative was introduced by the governor for the sole purpose of improving the economic lives and status of the people.
”improvement on goat rearing is to be executed by the department of livestock and grazing and constitutes two major components.
”N5.7b was earmarked for the entire projects and maybe retired to the treasury any remaining balance that may be the case.”
Governor Radda assured the State Government will also empower the goat rearers with starters pack.
He said: ”The initiative was part of the state government’s strategies to boost livestock production that will address the domestic needs of hygienic meat and for export”
” it would also lead to job creation,, economic diversification within our rural communities by fostering entrepreneurship and livestock farming.
”The goat rearing initiative was designed to empower local farmers especially women groups who were given training and support to rear the goats successfully.
”The state administration would create platform for local markets to thrive more to align with it’s vision for self reliance.”
The State Coordinator of the community development programme Dr Kamaladdeen Kabir informed since inception of the programme about two months ago, it has empowered 132,009 people across the State.
The Qatari Government has declared readiness to partner Katsina State Government on several bilateral ties including education, health and infrastructural development.
The country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, stated this shortly after unveiling ”Qatar Street,” a road named after the country by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
He noted that the new partnership agreement would enable the Qatari Government and the Katsina State Government to explore and expand the health, education and infrastructural sectors of the state.
He further maintained that the Qatari Government would harness Katsina’s abundant opportunities in agriculture, sports, cultural promotion and economic development in the renewed bilateral ties.
Describing Katsina as ”the mother-house of the Hausa culture, language and people”, the Qatar Ambassador to Nigeria commended Governor Radda for naming a street after the country
He said: “We had a successful meeting with the governor and all leaders of the state on the future of Katsina State. We will be working together in the areas of health, education, infrastructure and bilateral relationship.
“Katsina is the mother-house for the Hausa culture, language and people, and I am happy to be here in the middle of the Hausa heritage. I also thank the governor for naming a street in the state after Qatar.”
Radda’s Special Adviser on Banking and Finance, Bilkisu Suleiman, said the Qatari Government and the state government have, over the years, been working in the areas of health and education.
She added that the naming of the road after Qatar would further strengthen the already existing bilateral ties between both parties and bring more developmental projects to the state.
The inauguration of the road, located at the Government House Roundabout, was graced by the Katsina team of equestrian sportsmen, traditional boxing teams, and musical groups who entertained the visitors.
Security forces at the weekend killed two suspected kidnappers and rescued six victims in operations executed in Kaduna and Katsina states.
The kidnap suspects were neutralized and four victims rescued by troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The other two victims of kidnapping were rescued by members of a local vigilante group at Na’alma, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday night.
The rescue operation in Kaduna was said to have been launched following the kidnapping of passengers along the Kafanchan-Kwoi road at Afana Daji village on Friday night.
According to security expert, Zagazola Makama, troops mobilised to the scene of the kidnapping where they rescued a victim with gunshot wounds.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched an offensive operation on February 15 at approximately 1600 hours in the Angwan Rimi Forest, where they engaged the kidnappers in a gunfight. Two of the criminals were neutralised during the encounter.
“A search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 10 mobile phones, foodstuffs, and a cash sum of ₦1,136,000.
“The remaining three kidnapped victims identified as Mr. Mathew Ayemowa, Mr. Tunde Salam, and Mr. Mustapha Mohammed were successfully rescued,” Makama stated.
In Katsina State, the victims of kidnapping were rescued after a fierce encounter between the terrorists and the vigilantes, which forced the criminals to abandon their hostages and flee in disarray.
The terrorists were also said to have abandoned two of their motorcycles, their footwear and other belongings.
The advent of Dikko Umar Radda’s administration in Katsina State and the subsequent appointment of Engineer Tukur Tingling at the helms of State Water Board, no doubt heralded a turning point in water supply and maintenance structure in the state. AUGUSTINE OKEZIE writes:
Majority of the citizens and residents of Katsina state are enjoying steady water supply and improved sanitation, thanks to the renewed water mandate by Governor Dikko Umar Radda to Katsina Water with Engineer Tukur Tingling at the helm and the laying of a roadmap for steady automated water supply
Working in collaboration with the World Bank’s Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) project and the earmark of the sum of ₦20 billion for water supply and sanitation projects that cuts across 10 Local Government Areas of the State has no doubt spearheaded measures aimed at tackling water scarcity and ensuring that residents have access to quality, portable and sustainable water supply.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Bishir Gambo Saulawa in a media chat with The Nation said the World Bank funded SURWASH project is aimed at improving access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene in the state. He further stated that the ₦20 billion allocated for the project would no doubt enable the state government to drill solar-powered motorized boreholes with 8,000-lit capacity overhead tanks, hand-pumping boreholes and latrines in at least 110 communities across the 10 selected LGAs.
He explained already, the State Government, has injected N5 billion for the implementation of the programme, stating that the procurement plan would cover 10 LGAs in the first phase of the project.
He said: “The Katsina State Government in partnership with the World Bank, has allocated ₦20 billion for various water and sanitation projects in the state. These projects are going to be executed under the SURWASH programme,”.
“Already, the state government has invested ₦5 billion for the implementation of the programme. The procurement plan would cover 10 local governments of the state in the first phase’’
“But plans are on to extend the programme to other local governments by 2025,” Saulawa noted.
On his part, the Executive Director of the Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Abubakar Suleiman, announced that, the solar-powered and hand-pumping boreholes, would be drilled across 90 rural communities in the state.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Katsina State Water Board, Dr. Tukur Tingilin disclosed that, part of ₦20 billion, would be used for water pipeline networking in communities across Daura, Malumfashi, Funtua and Dutsinma LGAs.
Ibrahim Lawal-Dankaba, the Executive Director of the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, also told journalists that the agency would build 225 cubic-metre water reservoirs and public water stands across the 10 benefiting LGAs.
Water scarcity has drastically reduced
Katsina State is currently experiencing steady automated water supply leading to her emergence as a leading frontrunner in implementing the World Bank-supported Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (NG-SURWASH) programme across seven states in the country.
The Managing Director, Katsina State Water Board, Engineer Tukur Tingling, who made the above disclosure during an exclusive media chat with The Nation in his office in Katsina, said regular water supply, daily rationing and notifications, has become a frequent exchanges between the board and amongst katsina residents
On the maintenance and repairs of broken down water facilities and equipment he blamed the rate of breakdown of facilities to ongoing road construction works and the increasing population of residents in the state
He said ’’most road contractors hardly notify or contact the water board or carry the board along before their commencement of their projects, so that we can indicate placement and existing positions of water facilities to avoid damages and breakdowns to them’’
The Water Engineer further disclosed that the recent assignment given to him by Governor Dikko Umar Radda on the NG-SURWASH programme, targeting 5 LGA urban areas of the state, with the primary target of ensuring water supply in 5 out of 10 mandate areas, has spurred him on in the execution of his water mandate in the state
Katsina’s leadership in the NG-SURWASH programme is further underscored by its unique achievement as the only state among the seven participants to report progress under the Disbursement-Linked Indicator (DLI III), which measures the number of people provided with basic drinking water services.
N50b budgeted for water supply projects in 20 LGAs
The Kasina State Government has declared a budgetary provision of N50b for various water supply projects across 20 local government areas of the state.
The Managing Director of the state Water Board, Engineer Tukur Hassan-Tingilin, who made the above disclosure said while inaugurating the grievance redress committee on NG-SURWASH in the state that the N50 billion earmarked for the water supply is enshrined in the state’s N682.2 billion 2025 budget.
He said ”the fund would enable the state government to provide sustainable and potable water to residents in rural and urban cities across the 20 benefiting local government areas of the state”
The Managing Director further reiterated that the state government has expended N20 billion on water and sanitation projects in 10 local government areas of the state in the 2024 fiscal year.
He said ’’For the 2025, His Excellency, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has budgeted over N50 billion to ensure sustainability and provision of clean water within 20 local governments in Katsina State,”
He further disclosed that the grievances redress committee was inaugurated to checkmate community-related issues bordering on the ongoing SURWASH projects in the state.
The communities being the direct beneficiaries of the projects, were equally charged to ensure the sustainability of the projects.
Social responsibility
As part of measures towards addressing challenges of water supply, the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda set out through the establishment of a giant stride by allocating the sum of N20 billion for an extensive water infrastructure project under the World Bank-funded “Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation” (SURWASH) programme.
Ibrahim Dankaba, the Executive Director of the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, highlighted that his agency will build complete water schemes, including boreholes, 225 cubic meter water reservoirs, and public water stands across seven of the ten targeted local government areas.
Alhaji Imrana Tukur Nadabo, the Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control at the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), also added that his agency will construct toilets covering 10 healthcare facilities and primary schools in the local government areas of Katsina, Daura, and Funtua.
The state’s water executive’s team said, this comprehensive water infrastructure project, coupled with the involvement of local communities in the management and maintenance of the facilities are in line with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda commitment to ensuring sustainable access to clean water and improved sanitation for its residents.
Investigation by The Nation revealed that the former successive governments have been making pledges to end water scarcity until the incumbent government has proven its intention as evidenced by the water projects undertaken across the state.Katsina: on thresh-hold of steady water supply, maintenance structure
Katsina State plans to launch a multi-instrument private sector financing programme to further unlock investment opportunities and deepen the state’s economic growth.
Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Radda, during a working visit to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) yesterday in Lagos, said the state was ready to explore capital market financing options and strategic partnerships that could drive the state’s economic growth.
He said the visit was beginning of a strategic partnership focused on unlocking investment opportunities, fostering financial inclusion, and driving sustainable economic development in Katsina State through the capital market.
According to him, the visit to the Exchange was aimed at securing investments to develop key sectors, including infrastructure, power, education, healthcare, and agriculture, while also unlocking the state’s vast natural resource potential.
“We are keen on exploring Sukuk bonds, infrastructure bonds, and green bonds to finance key projects, attract investment, and create economic opportunities within the state,” Radda said.
He noted that Katsina State is rich in natural resources that require significant investment to maximise their potential.
He said the state’s strong agricultural value chain presents immense opportunities for growth and economic transformation.
At a commemorative closing gong ceremony to honour the partnership, Radda emphasised his commitment to leveraging capital market instruments to drive economic growth and development.
“Katsina State is poised for accelerated economic transformation, and partnerships with institutions like NGX Group are essential in realising our vision. By deepening our engagement with the capital market, we can unlock funding for critical infrastructure, drive industrialisation, and generate employment for our people,” Radda said.
Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga commended Radda’s administration for its forward-thinking policies, particularly the launch of the Katsina State Development Plan.
He highlighted the crucial role of the capital market in mobilizing investment and securing long-term financing for critical projects.
“The strategic roadmap set by Katsina State reflects a strong commitment to structured and sustainable development. The capital market serves as a vital enabler, providing access to financing that will drive industrialization, infrastructure development, and overall economic prosperity,” Kwairanga said.
Group Managing Director, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc, Temi Popoola reiterated NGX’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s capital market landscape through innovation and technology.
“We are building an Exchange that extends beyond traditional securities trading. By leveraging technology, we are enhancing market accessibility, attracting capital, and creating new investment opportunities. Our goal is to develop a dynamic, inclusive, and globally competitive capital market that supports national and subnational economic growth,” Popoola said.
Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Jude Chiemeka outlined Exchange’s roles in supporting state governments with market-driven financial solutions.
“The Exchange remains committed to working closely with subnational governments to structure tailored financial instruments that align with their development priorities. We have the expertise and resources to facilitate seamless access to capital, ensuring that Katsina State can effectively fund transformative projects,” Chiemeka said.
The Katsina State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Alhaji Muheeb Ibrahim Bamidele, a former Permanent Secretary of the Department of Banking and Finance and current Permanent Secretary of the State’s Local Government Service Commission, along with five other individuals.
In a terse statement issued on Tuesday, signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Jamilu M. Abdulsalam, the arrests were linked to the alleged misappropriation of N136,126,970 from the Department’s account.
The Commission confirmed that an investigation is underway to uncover the full details of the case and ensure accountability.
The Katsina State branch of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNYM) has announced plans to down tools in response to escalating banditry and the ongoing captivity of their colleague, Yusuf Mohammed Mairuwa, who has been held for ransom.
Speaking at the association’s secretariat in Katsina on Thursday, Chairman Nura Muazu expressed concern over the safety of healthcare workers in the state, stating that the government can no longer guarantee their protection or security.
He said: ”One of the most hardworking, skilled and vast experienced professionals in Katsina state health sector, Mr Mairuwa was patriotic on duty in General Hospital Kankara on Tuesday 15th January, 2025, saving lives, caring,
for the sick and providing excellent leadership ”
”His whereabouts and condition hitherto remains unknown”
”Mairuwa is a family man, with wife and children whose means of livelihood, peace of mind and future were abruptly truncated.
”He fail victim while in line of duty, and this has aggravated the fear in every health worker serving in the frontline and vulnerable areas as it has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that no healthcare worker is safe despite our immeasurable sacrifices to the society and humanity.
”The situation has equally scratched the wound that we all have from related cases such as the killing of our late colleague Mr Murtala Isah Safana who was working then with the General Hospital Dutsin-ma)and was killed by Gunmen in 2022”
”Comrades, you could recalled that we wrote formerly to the Katsina State Government through the Hospital Management Board and copied all the relevant offices of the Government on the 15 of January, 2025 and highlighted the need to provide security in the hospital facilities across the frontline and vulnerable axis of this state”
”We also gave the Government 2 weeks to do that or risk withdrawal of our members from the hospitals in Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Jibia, Dutsin-ma,Musawa, Malumfashi, Funtua, and even Batagarawa (GARSH). Of course, the state government has promised since then to do that within 3-Days in the frontline areas and within 7-Days in the vulnerable areas”
”Unfortunately, even as the 2-weeks period is elapsing tomorrow no significant commitment is seen from the Government practically, and with the obvious implications on our members”
”We want the General Public to know that we are left with No Other Option as the troubling situation is not showing any sign of improvement.”
”We have been calling for provision of security in the hospitals for years.”
”We are therefore withdrawing our members from the aforementioned facilities effective from Thursday 30″ January, 2025 by 12.midnight.”
Katsina State Government is set to disburse N3b to kick-start community development program (CDP) across all 361 electoral wards
Governor Radda, who announced this during a two-day sensitisation programme for Local Government Chairmen, also unveiled plans to establish ward-level accounts with N10m each while emphasising community ownership of local infrastructure projects.
Radda further noted that the initiative will utilise existing television viewing centres as coordinating offices.
He added that the community development committees will submit project proposals before funding could be made.
According to him: “This programme represents our commitment to grassroots development and transparent governance.
“We are also investing in agricultural sustainability with the procurement of six tube well drilling machines and dredging equipment to support year-round farming activities.”
The Governor assured committees that the State Government would be steadfast in providing necessary support through finances, technical expertise and capacity building opportunities.
Radda also directed the creation of a bilingual website to document the history of the Community Development Programme from its inception till date adding that the documented information must be in both English and Hausa for the benefits of those willing to know more about the initiative.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bashir Tanimu Gambo, noted that the programme aims to empower communities to identify and prioritize their development needs.
Gambo urged council Chairmen to actively participate in the CDP implementation.
The Programme Consultant, Dr. Haruna Abba, outlined the CDP’s objectives, stressing its role in promoting inclusive governance and responsive government intervention.
Abba added that the programme would serve all community members regardless of political affiliation, particularly in annual budget considerations.
National President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Engr. Bello Lawal Yandaki said the workshop would equip the Local Government Chairmen with the processes and procedures of the community development programme in the state.
Engineer Yandaki who also doubled as the Chairman of Kaita Local Government Arewa of Katsina State, added that the CDP will simplify service delivery to the people of the state and allow residents to decide critical projects and needs for government action.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns about the poor quality of education for children in northern Nigeria, in addition to the high number of Out of School Children (OOSC) in the region.
Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, made the statement at a press conference marking this year’s International Day of Education (IDE) at Bon Hotel in Kano on Friday.
UNICEF pointed out that the northwest region has the second-highest rates of children out of school, and the situation is worsened in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states, where even children who are enrolled in school are facing poor learning outcomes.
“There are currently about 10.2 million children at the primary level are out of school in Nigeria, 16 per cent of them are from Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, according to MICS 2021.
“Close to one million children are out of school in Kano state( 989,234); a total of 337,861 out of school children are in Jigawa, while Katsina state has 536,112 out of school children,” Farah said, adding that 32% of primary school going age children were out of school in Kano state.
He said: “While the spectre of Out of School Children (OOSC) is a major concern, the challenge is that even those children who have the opportunity to be enrolled in school are not having quality education.
“Only 1 out of 4 children in Nigeria, aged 7-14 years can read and understand a simple sentence or solve basic arithmetic, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2021) report.
“Across Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, this challenge is staggering: Tests conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education in 2022 found that Foundational Learning rates stand at 11 per cent or lower in the three states of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina.
“For instance, only 2% of primary school learners in Jigawa state have foundational reading skills while less than 1% have numeracy skills.
“Although Kano figures appear better at 9.6% for reading proficiency, and 11.2% for numeracy, these figures are way lower than the national averages of 26% per cent for Reading proficiency and 25% for Numeracy respectively.”
The theme for the 2025 International Day of Education was given as: “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.”
UNICEF said the 2025 IDE conference was organised to leverage the advocacy moment of the IDE to highlight the significance of education and its role in fostering a well-informed, inclusive, and peaceful society.
Farah mentioned inadequate funding of the education sector, dissruptive impact of climate change on learning as other challenges confronting education in the country, particularly in the north.
He said UNICEF was supporting basic education in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states through cash transfers, tree planting campaigns, enrollment drives, supply of learning materials, building of schools and improvement of teachers’ capacities among other interventions.
Katsina State Government has flagged off a pilot programme to evaluate locally assembled electric tricycles ahead of potentially large-scale deployment for commercial transportation.
Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, while speaking during the handing over ceremony of five electric tricycles manufactured by IRS, an indigenous company, declared commitment to bulk purchasing of the tricycles, which he said would be dependant on the vehicles’ performance during the test phase.
He said: “We will closely monitor these tricycles’ durability and maintenance requirements before proceeding with any large-scale procurement
“We expect detailed and honest feedback regarding the tricycles’ profitability and durability in real word-conditions “
Radda f)directed the leadership of the Commercial Tricycle Operators Association to select five trusted members to participate in the pilot programme.
Highlighting the innovative features of the electric tricycles, the Technical Assistant in the Department of Power and Energy, Engr. Kabir Abdullahi, explained that each vehicle is equipped with a 450-watt capacity solar panel and a battery storage system.
Abdullahi further disclosed that the battery can lower the tricycle for up to 150 kilometers while carrying a maximum load of 300 kilograms.
He noted this new technology would help operators reduce fuel costs while providing environmentally friendly, noise-free transportation.
Katsina Chairman of the Keke Napep Riders Association, Jamilu Isiyaku, expressed gratitude to Governor Radda for responding to their request for solar-powered tricycles and assured fair management of the test vehicles
