* We Have Established the Best Dialysis Centre, 158 PHCs Now Completed
* Our administration cleared backlog of pension, gratuity
* With 400 tractors, equipment, we are set to revolutionize agric sector
* Over 150 Primary Schools, 75 Junior and Senior Secondary schools Completed in Two Years
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has marked the second anniversary with a mid-term review of his administration’s performance in two years since assuming office.
Speaking during the anniversary briefing, Governor Radda described the milestone as a moment of honest reflection, a moment to account for the trust the people of Katsina placed in him and the government when he was given the mandate to lead.
The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to his inaugural promise, stating: “I made a promise to build a future where every citizen, regardless of background or status, can live with dignity, opportunity, and security. That promise remains my solemn oath.”
Governor Radda revealed that his development blueprint, titled “Building Your Future,” underwent rigorous assessment through a Blueprint Committee comprising 11 sub-committees and over 200 experts, many of whom now serve in his administration.
The administration established several key institutions to drive development, including the Katsina State Development Management Board, the Strategic Policy Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (SPIME), the first-of-its-kind Katsina State Irrigation Authority, and the nationally recognized Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) for MSMEs.
“We recognized that institutions are nothing without the people, so we introduced merit-based promotions starting with the competency-based appointment of permanent secretaries,” the Governor explained, adding that a comprehensive 2,000-page staff audit and skills gap analysis report is under review for implementation.
Governor Radda also announced, “In another unprecedented achievement, we cleared the backlog of pension and gratuity for the state and local government, allowing the state to focus on the new contributory pension scheme.”
Addressing the security challenges inherited upon assuming office, Governor Radda noted that insecurity affected 26 of the state’s 34 local government areas. He emphasized his administration’s commitment to the fight against banditry, noting: “The fight against insecurity was a major pledge during my campaign and that I would expend all the necessary resources to fight it.”
The Governor noted the establishment of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, stating, “We did not waste any time in passing the law and setting up the community-driven security outfit, which has inspired other states.”
“We have made significant gains in the fight against insecurity, but much more must be done to eradicate banditry and other forms of criminality. We continue to work with the federal government and the military to bring an end to this menace,” the Governor stressed.
Governor Radda also added, “We will continue our policy of supporting victims rather than paying ransoms to bandits,” while calling on citizens to “work with the authorities and provide information where it will lead to the arrest or termination of bandits,” the Governor maintained.
Addressing food insecurity, Governor Radda outlined massive investments in agriculture and livestock development. The administration has supported thousands of farmers with small-scale irrigation technologies and established the Katsina State Agricultural Mechanisation Centre.
“With 400 tractors, matching implements, combined harvesters, planters, mobile irrigation rigs and other equipment we are set to revolutionise the sector,” the Governor announced, adding that extension workers increased from 74 to over 780.
“The next step is to establish processing zones to create value addition and consumer products in the sector. Katsina will become a net exporter of processed agricultural products soon,” Governor Radda projected.
The Governor further reported significant progress in healthcare delivery, stating his commitment to “providing one fully functional primary healthcare centre in each of the 361 wards in my first term,” with 158 currently completed.
Major healthcare investments include recruiting 638 additional workers, sponsoring 41 students abroad for medical studies, and establishing “the best dialysis centre in the country.” The administration has also committed to building “the best radiology and laboratory diagnostic centre in the country in partnership with Siemens Healthineers.”
On medical tourism, the Governor said, “We are deliberate about turning Katsina state into a primary destination for medical tourism within the country. This is our long-term strategy to ensure our people access the best healthcare at affordable costs.”
In education, the Governor reported building “Over 150 primary schools and 75 junior and senior secondary schools since we took office,” describing this as “the fastest rate in our state’s history.” An additional 77 secondary schools are currently under construction.
The administration has recruited over 7,250 teachers and is introducing computer technology to schools for early exposure to modern education. Governor Radda emphasized: “Education is a collective responsibility, and we are all accountable. Families and communities must be at the forefront of education reform.”
Speaking on infrastructure, Governor Radda announced the completion of all inherited road projects and the construction of new ones, including the recently commissioned 24-kilometre Eastern Bypass, which “will expand our capital city and serve our people for decades to come.”
The administration has embraced technology, launching “a fully digitised Treasury Single Account and automated our revenue collection service,” leading to significant revenue growth and improved transparency.
Major hospitals, health insurance, and drug supply systems have been digitized “to block leakages and increase efficiency.”
On community development, the Governor introduced what he termed “the most comprehensive community-driven development in the country,” explaining: “Our budget for 2026 will be designed entirely on community needs assessment and going forward all MDAs will be required to implement their budget strictly based on the priorities of our communities.”
Governor Radda expressed optimism about his administration’s future performance, stating: “We have been able to start implementing over 90% of the policies in my blueprint and by the will of Allah we will complete them all while introducing new ones.”
The Governor outlined the strategy for the remaining tenure: “Our strategy for the next two years is to improve the utilisation and optimisation of the investments we met and made over the past two years. Every good action we have taken will be expanded and any misstep will be eliminated to the best of our ability.”
The Governor extended appreciation to the previous administration of His Excellency Aminu Bello Masari for the support and the work they had done in the state. The Governor also thanked members of the state assembly, traditional leaders, security agencies, development partners, civil society, various associations, members of the state executive council, and the civil servants for their dedication to the ‘Building Your Future’ vision.
“Governance is a collective effort, and we must continue to work together for the progress of our state. The limitations of what the government can do must be fully understood and supporting the government to be successful can only lead to a better future for our people,” concluded the Governor.
