Setting the Record Straight on Katsina State Governance and the Presidential Visit

By Ahmed Abdulkadir

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda

By all standards of fairness and honest critique, it is important that we do not conflate symbolic ceremonies with governance failures—especially when there is abundant evidence that progress is being made on several fronts. The recent article by one Hon. Abdulsalami Abubakar Rijana titled “Katsina State and the Disconnect: Leaders vs People’s Needs” fails to present a balanced view of current developments in Katsina State. It also unfairly singles out a personal event—the wedding fatiha of the Governor’s daughter—as a proxy for political performance.

First, let’s be clear: the President’s attendance at a wedding ceremony in Katsina State did not take place in a vacuum. It coincided with the commissioning of impactful projects across the state—projects that reflect the ongoing commitment of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda to uplift the lives of the people. The symbolism of hosting the President is not an abdication of responsibility. In fact, it was an opportunity to showcase some of the achievements Katsina State has recorded under this administration.

The Governor has made security a top priority. One of his very first acts in office was the establishment of the Community Watch Corps—a bold and strategic move to support conventional security forces in combating the menace of banditry. This outfit has not only improved response time to attacks but has also restored confidence in rural communities that previously felt abandoned.

On the development front, Governor Radda has launched an impressive array of people-focused projects.

Over 500 schools renovated and equipped with modern learning materials, especially in rural areas where access to quality education has long been a challenge

Massive investment in healthcare, including the upgrade of general hospitals and primary healthcare centers, as well as the recruitment of health workers to underserved communities.

The Katsina CARES Programme has supported thousands of vulnerable families with cash transfers, farm inputs, and small business grants, cushioning the economic shocks felt nationwide.

In the area of infrastructure, the state has completed over 300 kilometers of rural roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to enhance connectivity and market access for farmers.

Job creation and youth empowerment have been central to the administration, with the launch of the Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Scheme (YESAS), which has trained over 10,000 youths in various trades.

These are not superficial displays—they are practical responses to the very issues Hon. Rijana claims the government is ignoring.

Second, the cultural commentary about introducing an entertainer’s wife to the President is both exaggerated and misdirected. The North is not a monolith, and while our values must be preserved, protocol and hospitality should not be weaponized for political point-scoring. Leadership is not diminished by moments of social connection; it is defined by results—and in this regard, the Governor has been focused and effective.

It is also necessary to correct the misconception that the Governor’s praise of the President’s economic reforms implies blindness to hardship. On the contrary, it reflects an understanding of the long-term vision for national economic recovery while continuing to implement short-term solutions within Katsina.

To isolate a family wedding and use it as evidence of misgovernance is not only unfair—it is intellectually dishonest. Nigerians deserve a political conversation rooted in truth and guided by progress. The people of Katsina are not deceived; they see what is being done, and while challenges remain, they also recognize the effort and direction.

In conclusion, Katsina State is not perfect—no state is. But under Governor Radda, it is not idle. It is working, building, securing, and striving. That is what leadership looks like.

Let us not reduce the conversation about governance to dance troupes and ceremonies. Let us focus on facts, not optics.

Ahmed Abdulkadir is the Board Chairman, Katsina State Radio and Television Services