Katsina Executive Council approves new projects to empower youth, improve health services, upgrade worship centres, support civil servants

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The Katsina State Executive Council, under the leadership of Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved a new set of strategic projects and programmes aimed at empowering young people, strengthening healthcare delivery, upgrading worship centres, and improving the welfare of civil servants across the State.

The approvals were granted today during the 16th Regular Council Meeting held at the Upper Chamber of the General Muhammadu Buhari House, Katsina, and presided over by Governor Radda himself.

This was contained in a statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to Katsina State Governor.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, led a team of senior government officials, including Engr. Sani Magaji Ingawa (Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport), Hon. Aliyu Lawal Shargalle (Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development), Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua (Commissioner for Health), and Mal. Maiwada Danmallam (Director General, Media). Together, they highlighted key resolutions reached during the Council meeting.

Speaking first, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aliyu Lawal Shargalle, announced that the Council had approved a new phase of youth empowerment programmes under the “Building Your Future” initiative to be implemented by his ministry.

He explained that the programme will train and engage youths across all 34 Local Government Areas of Katsina State in various vocational and technical skills to make them self-reliant and productive members of society.

“This programme is a major component of the Radda administration’s youth-focused agenda, creating opportunities that prepare young people for meaningful participation in the economy,” Hon. Shargalle said.

He congratulated Katsina youths on this new approval, noting that it reaffirms the government’s unwavering determination to make them active, self-sufficient, and contributing citizens.

Dr. Bala Salisu Zango also emphasized that the initiative reflects Governor Radda’s strong commitment to youth development and sustainable livelihoods, stressing that no society can thrive without empowering its young people to take charge of their own future.

In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Engr. Sani Magaji Ingawa, revealed that the Council approved the rehabilitation of 74 Jumu’at Mosques across the State.

He explained that this decision is in line with the administration’s commitment to providing conducive environments for worshippers and promoting spiritual growth in communities.

“This decision reflects the government’s desire to strengthen moral and religious life as part of overall human development,” Engr. Ingawa stated.

Dr. Zango added that Governor Radda’s vision for Katsina goes beyond physical development, as it also embraces spiritual and community well-being as essential parts of human progress.

Engineer Ingawa further announced that the Council approved the construction of a single carriageway along the Filin Polo Western Ring Road within Katsina metropolis.

He said the project falls under the State Government’s ongoing Urban Renewal Programme, which seeks to decongest traffic, open up new development areas, and improve city infrastructure.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Council approved the upgrading and renovation of the Katsina State Youth Craft Village Department building, explaining that the project will provide modern training facilities and expand the centre’s capacity for vocational programmes.

“This initiative reflects Governor Radda’s continuous effort to empower young people through practical skills and vocational training, enabling them to become self-reliant and productive citizens,” he said.

Dr. Zango added that this investment underscores the Governor’s determination to build an ecosystem of innovation, skills, and entrepreneurship that will transform the lives of thousands of Katsina youths.

On his part, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua, announced that the Council had approved the release of 700 million naira as counterpart funds to the Ministry of Health for the implementation of Phase II of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project.

He explained that the programme is designed to improve the health and nutrition of pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under five years across the State.

“Human development begins with the well-being of our people. In that regard, the Council also reaffirmed Katsina State’s full participation in the Accelerating Resource for Human Capital (AREN 2.0) Programme, a World Bank-supported initiative,” Hon. Funtua stated.

According to him, through this new phase, the State will expand interventions to improve maternal and child health, nutrition, and access to primary healthcare services in partnership with the Katsina State Government, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

“Special focus will be placed on ensuring that expectant mothers receive proper nutrition, children are healthy and well-fed, and girls aged 5 to 19 years are supported to stay in school and thrive,” he said. “This is how we build a stronger, healthier, and more productive generation for Katsina State.”

Dr. Zango added that this intervention will significantly reduce malnutrition, strengthen primary healthcare delivery, and safeguard the future of Katsina’s children.

In his own remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, explained that the Council also considered and adopted recommendations on the Rumbun Sauki Programme, one of the State Government’s flagship welfare initiatives designed to ease the living conditions of civil servants.

The newly approved measures under the Rumbun Sauki Programme include a downward review of commodity prices in all Rumbun Sauki stores across the State. This adjustment is aimed at making essential goods more affordable for civil servants and easing the financial burden on households.

In addition, the Council approved the establishment of a new warehouse in Malumfashi metropolis to serve as a distribution centre for surrounding Local Government Areas. The new facility will ensure that residents of neighbouring communities have easier access to affordable goods and services provided under the Rumbun Sauki scheme.

“These decisions are part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen motivation and productivity within the civil service,” Dr. Zango stated.

He concluded by reaffirming that all the approvals made during the meeting are fully aligned with Governor Radda’s Building Your Future blueprint, a people-centred agenda focused on security, economic growth, and sustainable community development.

“These decisions clearly show that Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration is not only building physical infrastructure but also investing in people, institutions, and human capital that will sustain Katsina’s progress for generations to come,” Dr. Zango concluded.