By our correspondent
Arrangements are in top gear to receive the Vice President, Kashim Shettima in Katsina on a two day official visit from Monday the 20th of October, the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Bala Zango has said.
Dr. Bala Zango, alongside his counterparts in Works, Agriculture, and the Director-General of KASEDA while addressing a press conference said the event will mark “a new phase in Katsina’s journey toward innovation-driven growth.”
During the visit, the Vice President will commission a ₦1.9 billion dualized Central Mosque–Kiddies Roundabout Road and unveil the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA) — a groundbreaking digital platform designed to connect thousands of farmers across the state with markets, experts, and agro-input suppliers.
The Vice President will also officially flag off the 9th Expanded National MSME Clinic, bringing together entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies for exhibitions, mentoring, and instant business registration and support services.
Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, DG of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency, described the MSME Clinic as “a life-changing opportunity for small business owners, women, and youth.”
She revealed that agencies such as BOI, BOA, SMEDAN, NEXIM, and NAFDAC will be on ground to provide on-the-spot registration, funding access, and guidance — culminating in the first-ever Katsina MSME Awards Night, where the Vice President and Governor Radda will honour resilient local entrepreneurs.
On the infrastructure front, Commissioner for Works, Engr. Kabir Magaji Ingawa, said the newly completed 3.3km dual carriageway linking Central Mosque Roundabout to Kiddies Roundabout via WTC was built to ease movement, boost commerce, and enhance city aesthetics with solar streetlights and modern drainage.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Ahmad Muhammad Bakori, highlighted that KASPA will digitally revolutionize farming in the state.
“With just a phone, a farmer can access expert advice, buy inputs, and sell produce directly to buyers,” he said. Describing the initiative as “a revolutionary bridge between technology and agriculture.”
In the same vein, Katsina will host the graduation of the first set of the Dikko Social Innovation Academy — a youth initiative producing social entrepreneurs who have developed innovative projects such as waste-to-building materials and bioenergy conversion from farm residues.
According to state officials, the Vice President’s visit reflects the Federal Government’s confidence in Governor Radda’s reform-driven administration, which has made youth empowerment, MSME growth, and agritech transformation key pillars of its Building Your Future Agenda.
“From the MSME Clinic to KASPA, every initiative is designed to turn opportunities into prosperity,” said Malumfashi. “Governor Radda is shaping a future where innovation meets inclusion.”
