Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has flagged off the distribution of 90,000 bags of grains to residents, describing the intervention as part of his administration’s efforts to provide immediate relief and people-centred governance.

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has launched the distribution of 90,000 bags of 100 kg of assorted grains to vulnerable households across the state’s 34 Local Government Areas in a major intervention aimed at easing economic hardship and strengthening food security.

The initiative, organised by the Katsina State Community Development Programme (CDP) in collaboration with the Ministries of Special Duties and Rural and Social Development, was officially flagged off on Wednesday in Kaita Local Government Area.

Addressing stakeholders at the ceremony, Governor Radda said the intervention underscores his administration’s commitment to delivering people-centred governance by providing immediate relief while implementing sustainable programmes that improve livelihoods.

“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,” the governor said.

Radda explained that the grain distribution forms part of a broader social protection strategy, recalling that his administration had earlier supported women engaged in Koko and Kosai businesses across the 361 wards during Ramadan, while also providing over 7,220 widows with rice and cash assistance.

He acknowledged the contributions of the Aliko Dangote Foundation in complementing the state’s humanitarian efforts through the distribution of rice to vulnerable residents.

The governor revealed that the state had previously distributed another 90,000 bags of grains, noting that lessons learnt from the earlier exercise had strengthened the grassroots distribution mechanism through the Community Level Committees (CLCs).

According to him, the administration is pursuing a two-pronged approach—providing immediate food relief while investing heavily in agriculture, irrigation, youth empowerment, women’s empowerment and rural development to tackle food insecurity permanently.

Radda highlighted government investments in subsidised fertilisers, improved agricultural inputs, solar and petrol-powered irrigation pumps, tube wells and other farming support, stressing that boosting local food production remains the most sustainable solution to hunger.

He directed officials supervising the exercise to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability, warning against favouritism or diversion of the food items, while calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, local government councils and community committees to guarantee a peaceful and credible distribution process.

The governor reaffirmed that despite prevailing economic challenges, his administration would continue investing in agriculture, education, healthcare, water supply, infrastructure and social welfare to improve the quality of life of 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,” he said.

In his address, the Katsina State Commissioner for Special Duties, Zainab Musawa, described the programme as a timely intervention approved by Governor Radda to provide free maize, millet, sorghum and rice to vulnerable households across the state, saying it would restore hope and reinforce food security.

Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Coordinator of the Community Development Programme, Kamaludden Kabir, assured that the CDP’s structures in all 361 wards would ensure the grains reach widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, low-income families and other deserving beneficiaries.

He warned against diversion, hoarding or sale of the grains, stressing that the distribution would be closely monitored and documented.

In separate remarks, Kaita Local Government Chairman Bello Lawal, the Kebbi All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Bashir Saulawa, and the District Head of Kaita, Sarkin Katsina, Yazeed Usman, commended Governor Radda for what they described as a timely intervention that demonstrates the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of the people amid prevailing economic challenges.