From Abdullahi Shugaba, in Katsina
As the the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda distributed 90,000 bags of assorted grains of 100kg to the vulnerable across the 34 local Government Areas of the State, he charged stakeholders who will be responsible in the distribution to be fair, just and fear God in the exercise.
Radda gave the charge when he flagged off the distribution in Kaita Local Government Area of the State on Wednesday.
While speaking during the ceremony, Governor Radda said the intervention reflects his administration’s commitment to responding to the immediate needs of the citizens towards measures to strengthen livelihood and food security.
“Our philosophy has remained clear: development must reach the grassroots, and the people must feel the presence and impact of government in their communities and daily lives,” he said.
According to him, the intervention was part of a broader programme of support for vulnerable households, recalling that his administration had earlier supported women engaged in Koko and Kosai businesses across the 361 wards with food items and financial assistance during Ramadan.
He also recalled the government’s intervention for 7,220 widows across the state, with 20 beneficiaries selected from each ward and supported with 25kg bags of rice and ₦10,000 cash assistance.
Radda further acknowledged the support of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which has complemented government efforts through the distribution of rice to vulnerable citizens across Katsina communities.
According to him, the state had previously distributed another 90,000 bags of grains, comprising 30,000 bags each of millet, maize and guinea corn, to vulnerable citizens.
He said the experience from the previous exercise had helped government improve its grassroots distribution mechanism, particularly through the Community Level Committees (CLCs).
“The objective is not simply to distribute more, but to distribute better to improve targeting, strengthen accountability and ensure that government support reaches those for whom it is intended,” he said.
The Governor stressed that food palliatives, while necessary during periods of economic difficulty, could not provide a permanent solution to food insecurity.
He said the administration was therefore pursuing a two-pronged approach of providing immediate relief while investing in agriculture, irrigation, community development, youth empowerment and women’s economic participation.
Radda said government had supported farmers with subsidised fertiliser and other agricultural inputs, while expanding irrigation support through solar and petrol-powered pumps, tube wells and other farm inputs.
“These investments are deliberately designed to strengthen food production because the most sustainable response to food insecurity is to empower our farmers to produce more food, reduce the cost of production, create rural employment and improve household incomes,” he said.
He explained that the grain distribution and agricultural interventions were part of the same strategy providing immediate support to vulnerable families while building the productive capacity of communities to become more self-reliant.
On the distribution process, Governor Radda directed all officials involved to uphold fairness, transparency, accountability and inclusiveness, warning that personal relationships, social status or other interests must not prevent deserving citizens from benefiting.
He called on Local Government Councils, traditional and religious leaders, Community Level Committees and other stakeholders to ensure that the exercise was peaceful, orderly and properly implemented.
The Governor highlighted the role of the CDP’s grassroots structures across the 361 wards, describing the Community Level Committees as an important mechanism for identifying community needs, coordinating interventions and providing feedback to government.
He commended the Ministry of Special Duties, Ministry of Rural and Social Development, the Community Development Programme, Community Level Committees, Local Government Chairmen, traditional and religious institutions, security agencies, civil servants and community leaders for supporting the exercise.
Radda assured citizens that his administration recognised the economic difficulties confronting many families and would continue to deploy available resources responsibly to address their needs.
“Government cannot claim to have solved every challenge, but we will continue to listen, continue to improve and continue to deploy the resources available to us responsibly in addressing the needs of our people,” he said.
He said the administration would simultaneously continue investing in agriculture, education, healthcare, water supply, community infrastructure, youth development and women empowerment to create sustainable opportunities for citizens.
“Our vision is a productive Katsina State where farmers prosper, young people find opportunities, women participate meaningfully in the economy, and vulnerable citizens receive the support they need,” the Governor said.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the Community Development Programme (CDP), Kamaladden Kabir, said the distribution of 90,000 bags of grains demonstrated the Radda administration’s commitment to taking government interventions closer to the people.
He said the CDP structures across the 361 wards would help ensure that the grains reached those who genuinely needed the support.
“This intervention is not simply about distributing food items; it is about ensuring that government support reaches communities in an organised, transparent and inclusive manner,” he said.
Kamaladden said priority would be given to vulnerable households, widows, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, low-income families and other deserving citizens.
He urged Community Level Committees, local government officials, traditional and religious leaders to ensure that every bag reached its intended beneficiary.
He warned against diversion, hoarding or sale of the grains, stressing that the exercise would be monitored and properly documented.
The Coordinator said the CDP would continue to strengthen its grassroots structures to bring government development and social interventions closer to the people.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Zainab Musa Musawa, said the grain distribution was aimed at supporting vulnerable households and easing the impact of rising food prices.
She said the intervention, approved by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, would provide free maize, millet, sorghum and rice to beneficiaries across the state’s 34 Local Government Areas. She added that the initiative will restore hope, strengthen food security and reaffirm the government’s commitment to the welfare of its people.
The Chairman of Kaita Local Government Area, Hon. Bello Lawal, described the grain distribution as timely and beneficial to residents. He said the Radda administration had implemented projects in agriculture, education, healthcare, social welfare and other sectors.
“We are really happy with this initiative. We appreciate the efforts of the administration and will continue to support its programmes,” he said.
The APC State Chairman, Hon. Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, described the intervention as another demonstration of the impact of the Radda administration. He said the administration’s projects across various sectors reflected its commitment to improving citizens’ wellbeing.
“At this time, we have to appreciate your leadership. There is no doubt that your administration has demonstrated commitment to the development of Katsina State,” he said.
In the same vein, the District Head of Kaita, Sarkin Sullubawan Katsina, Alhaji Yazeed Abdulkarim Kabir Usman, commended the government for extending the intervention to vulnerable residents.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of concern for families facing economic hardship and urged stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and transparent distribution.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Faruk Lawal Jobe; Principal Private Secretary, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; members of the Katsina State Executive Council and other senior government officials.
