From Mu’awiya Bala Idris, Katsina
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, has commended the International Rescue Committee for its humanitarian interventions in the state, describing the organisation’s support as critical to addressing the needs of vulnerable communities.
Radda spoke at the High-Level North-West Town Hall Meeting organised by the IRC in Katsina and attended by development partners, non-governmental organisations, traditional rulers, community leaders and government officials.
The governor praised the IRC for complementing the state government’s efforts in key sectors such as nutrition, health, education, economic recovery and women’s empowerment.
“We deeply appreciate the International Rescue Committee for standing with Katsina State in addressing the needs of our most vulnerable people, particularly in health, nutrition and education,” Radda said.
He added that the organisation’s data-driven approach, especially in targeting vulnerable populations and building local capacity, had helped to ensure sustainability of its interventions.
Radda noted that his administration was strengthening primary healthcare delivery across the state, adding that Katsina would soon have fully functional primary healthcare centres equipped with 24-hour services, ambulances, staff quarters and essential medical equipment.
“Our goal is to reduce maternal and child mortality by ensuring that primary healthcare centres are functional, accessible and well-equipped across the state,” the governor said.
He also disclosed that his administration had empowered more than 36,000 women through training, skills acquisition and livelihood support programmes.
Earlier, the IRC Regional Vice President, Mr Modou Diaw, said the organisation expanded its operations to North-West Nigeria three years ago due to high humanitarian needs, a large population of internally displaced persons and prevailing security challenges in the region. Diaw reaffirmed the IRC’s commitment to sustaining its support for Katsina State.
In his remarks, the IRC Country Director, Mr Babatunde Oge, commended Governor Radda for what he described as exemplary leadership, consistent government support and an enabling environment for effective humanitarian action.
Also speaking, the IRC Field Coordinator, Mr Elijah Olusegun Olagoke, said the town hall meeting had strengthened collaboration between the organisation, government and partners, while providing an opportunity to review the impact of interventions in health, nutrition, protection, education and economic recovery.
He called for continued cooperation among stakeholders, noting that feedback from the meeting would guide the next phase of the IRC’s programmes in the state.