From Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has called for leadership anchored on responsibility, authenticity, reflection and effective policy implementation, stressing that governance must translate into measurable improvements in the lives of citizens.
Radda made the call on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at the opening of the 4th Executive Leadership Dialogue held at Hillside Hotel, Katsina.
The dialogue was organised by Peace Building Development Consult (PBDC), in partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).
The governor said Katsina was deliberately chosen to host the gathering because of its historical significance as a centre of commerce, Islamic scholarship, culture and hospitality.
“Leadership is not a title; it is a trust. It is not about privilege; it is about responsibility,” Radda said.
He urged leaders to embrace reflection, saying effective leadership requires the courage to examine decisions, question motives and align actions with the greater good.
The governor said his administration had sought to apply these principles through its Building Your Future Agenda, with interventions covering security, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, education, youth empowerment and digital governance.
On security, Radda said the administration introduced the Community Watch Corps as a home-grown approach to grassroots security management, alongside investments in security equipment and measures aimed at combining security operations with community engagement, rehabilitation and poverty reduction.
On healthcare, he said the government had established and upgraded health facilities across the state, including primary healthcare centres across the 361 wards, while revitalising existing facilities and expanding emergency medical services.
He also highlighted investments in an international-standard imaging centre, pharmaceutical manufacturing and dialysis services to strengthen specialised healthcare delivery.
On infrastructure, Radda said his administration had expanded road connectivity across urban and rural communities, completed the 24-kilometre Eastern Bypass Township Road and implemented urban renewal and solar street-lighting projects.
He added that efforts had also been made to improve rural road networks to ease transportation, stimulate commerce and support socioeconomic activities across the state.
In the education sector, the governor said more than ₦120 billion had been invested, with interventions including model schools, junior and senior secondary schools, rehabilitation projects, ICT centres, robotics and artificial intelligence laboratories.
He also highlighted the expansion of scholarship opportunities for students studying within Nigeria and abroad.
On youth and women empowerment, Radda said thousands of young people and women had benefited from skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes covering ICT, agriculture and modern trades.
He said the state had established an enterprise development agency and committed more than ₦10 billion to supporting young entrepreneurs.
The governor further disclosed that his administration had digitalised 118 ministries, departments and agencies, implemented the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and increased monthly internally generated revenue from more than ₦400 million to over ₦3 billion.
He also cited investments in renewable energy and the introduction of CNG hybrid vehicles as part of the state’s efforts towards sustainable development.
Radda described the achievements as evidence of what he called leadership rooted in authenticity, service and resilience.
He said the interventions were intended to contribute to a secure, prosperous and inclusive Katsina where peace, agriculture, healthcare, education and economic opportunities could support citizens’ wellbeing.
The governor described the Executive Leadership Dialogue as an opportunity for participants to move beyond discussions and develop practical responses to contemporary challenges.
He urged participants to focus on economic transformation, youth empowerment, human security, governance reforms, digital disruption and institutional strengthening.
“Let this dialogue be more than a deliberation. Let it be a catalyst for action,” Radda said.
Those who attended the event included the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Faruk Lawal Jobe; former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai; and former Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i.
Others included the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari; Head of Service, Alhaji Masudu Mustapha Banye; Chief of Staff, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; members of the State Executive Council; the Katsina State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress; permanent secretaries and representatives of security agencies.
