Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda today presented Katsina State development strategy to the Development Partners Group for Nigeria (NDPG).
During the meeting, which included the Kaduna State Economic Planning Commission, Alhaji Bashir Muhammad, representing Kaduna.
Governor Radda detailed Katsina’s interventions to ensure equitable social service delivery to all citizens.
“We are implementing critical interventions and quick actions to ensure our citizens have what is required to live happily,” the Governor stated.
On education, Governor Radda outlined the state’s collaborative approach to addressing out-of-school children, teacher support services, and safe school initiatives.
“We are working with various stakeholders to ensure equitable access to safe and quality education for all,” he emphasized.
Addressing healthcare challenges, the Governor presented ongoing initiatives including the expansion of primary healthcare centers and medical supplies distribution.
He identified the shortage of medical professionals, particularly doctors, as a key concern requiring immediate attention.
Governor Radda also highlighted agricultural development as a cornerstone of the state’s economic strategy.
“We are implementing comprehensive measures to encourage farming, including fertilizer subsidies and farm input support. We are seeing an increase in cultivated land annually,” he noted, adding that the state seeks partnerships to maximize land utilization for enhanced food security and household economic development.
The Governor also reported significant progress in security management, citing successful collaboration between state security formations and local communities.
The Development Partners Group acknowledged Katsina’s systematic progress in addressing security challenges over the past two years.
In response, Ms. Cynthia Rowe, Development Director, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), led the discussion on behalf of the Nigeria Development Partners Group (NDPG).
Ms. Rowe declared the partners commitment to supporting Katsina State through capacity building, education service delivery, healthcare initiatives including polio vaccination and safe motherhood programs, and agricultural extension services.
More so, additional commitments were secured for youth engagement, skills development, digital literacy, and gender-responsive planning.
The Nigeria Development Partners Group (NDPG) includes representatives from the World Bank, all United Nations subsidiaries including UNESCO, UkAid, UNIDO, UNICED, UNFPA, UN-Women, the African Development Bank.
The meeting concluded with plans for formal agreement signings and implementation strategies.
Katsina State’s top government functionaries at the event meeting include Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Executive Secretary, Katsina State Development Management Board, Mustapha Shehu, and the Lead Consultant for the State, Mr. Harun Abba.
