News from Nasarawa
8 Takeaways from Governor Dikko Radda’s Investment Shuttles to 7 Countries
By Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
He is on a mission to restore the beautiful, enchanting and unrivalled glories of Katsina State, which were lost several years ago. For Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, the narrative of Katsina needs to be overhauled, and in no distant time.
Barely six months after he assumed office, Mallam Dikko Radda has left no stone unturned in his avowed quest to rewrite the Katsina story, in a style that is intellectually captivating, eye catching and fantastically mind blowing.
Aside from performing groundbreaking inaugurations of vital capital projects, the Radda administration has equally unveiled programmes and policies aimed at enhancing the living standards and welfare of teeming Katsina masses.
Taking into cognizance the reality that Katsina is richly endowed not only with abundant natural resources, but tremendous human capital, His Excellency, in the last three months, led a delegation of top government functionaries of the state government to the United Kingdom, Turkiye Republic, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Cote D’Ivoire, South Korea and the United States of America.
The trips were aimed at forging business partnerships and also woo potential investors to Katsina state. Below are the takeaways from Governor Radda’s official expeditions to the seven aforementioned nations.
1. Enhanced Capacity for Good Governance*
About three months ago, Governor Dikko Radda, together with some of his first-term colleague Governors participated in a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-sponsored retreat for select members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), in Rwanda.
The retreat was aimed at boosting the capacity of the participating governors in piloting the affairs of their respective states, in a way that will foster good governance and purposeful leadership. It is as certain as daybreak that Governor Radda, in the wake of the retreat, has broadened his horizon on what is expected of any governor steering the affairs of a Nigerian state, especially at a critical juncture Nigeria finds itself.
2. Move to Better Katsina’s Health Sector
In far away Turkiye, Governor Dikko Radda after the Kigali retreat for the NGF members, visited Submed Medical Equipment Factory. At the factory, he discussed partnership with the Turkish firm’s management, aimed at revamping Katsina’s Health sector.
It is apt to assert that the administration of Mallam Radda is working painstakingly to provide better access to higher quality healthcare services and improve health system resilience, towards building the functionality needed to attain universal health coverage.
*3. Getting AFDB’s Support for North West’s Growth*
Leading a delegation of Nigerian governors from states in the North West to the corporate headquarters of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in October, Governor Dikko Radda solicited the bank’s intervention for North West’s accelerated development and economic growth, through harnessing the potential of the region’s agricultural and power sectors.
He specifically requested the aid of AfDB to expand irrigation facilities in the region. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of AfDB, in his remarks, said: Our AfDB has agreed to sponsor a regional cooperation desk to support the North Western states as they embark on a regional approach to development”.
*4. Katsina Gets 10 Containers of Medical Supplies, MRIs, Others*
Following Governor Dikko Radda’s visit to the Headquarters of the World Medical Relief (WMR) Incorporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, Katsina State has now gotten 10 containers of medical supplies and equipment donated by WMR.
The 10 containers of medical supplies worth $10 million will be delivered to the state as from January 2024. While speaking at the WMR’s headquarters, Governor Radda lauded the US organisation for providing support to Katsina under its ‘Partnership for Health Program’.
Responding, President of WMR, Mr. George Samson, disclosed that their organisation is committed to helping Katsina source state-of-the-art MRI equipment and CT Scans, at discount prices, while also offering to install them and train Katsina technicians on proper handling/operation of the equipment, among other pledges.
*5. Katsina Builds Network with all UK Varsities*
Sometime in August, Governor Dikko Radda visited the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge, United Kingdom, to forge an international collaboration with the Institute. The visit was aimed at making Katsina State a Centre of Excellence in healthcare delivery, and a go-to destination for solutions to all kinds of infectious diseases.
It is germane to posit that all United Kingdom (UK) Universities, including the London School of Hygiene, Oxford University, and Cambridge University, among others are partnering with the Sanger Institute to conduct high impact research. Therefore, Katsina’s collaboration with the Wellcome Sanger Institute is like building a network with all UK Universities.
*6. Katsina Offers Natural Resources to Saudi Investors*
Also, Governor Dikko Radda, about three weeks ago, informed a cross section of business moguls and top private sector players in Saudi Arabia that Katsina state is endowed with assorted agricultural and mineral resources, which they can invest in.
He said that there is now an enabling environment for business investments to safely thrive in the State, as the recently-launched Katsina State Community Watch together with personnel of other conventional security agencies have curbed the threats of insecurity in the state.
Governor Radda spoke with journalists on the sideline of the Saudi-Nigeria Roundtable Meeting in Riyadh, held last month. He said: “Katsina State is also endowed with various mineral resources such as Lithium, Gold, Diamond and even Uranium. Your investments in the agricultural and mineral resources’ sectors of our dear State, will no doubt ensure the prosperity of our people. But more importantly, you shall also benefit greatly from your investments.
“We, as a sub-national government, assure you that your safety and wellbeing, by the time you come and invest in our dear Katsina, will not be compromised. It is in fact a top priority for us”.
*7. South Korean Agency Develops Framework for Agro Project in Katsina*
Towards accelerating the socio-economic development of Katsina state, Governor Dikko Radda recently held a fruitful bilateral discussion with Seamuel Foundation, a South Korean government organisation. Two Katsina communities namely Makera and Raddawa villages of Matazu and Dutsinma Local Governments have once benefitted from the humanitarian support of the foundation.
The foundation has so far constructed irrigation facilities and introduced modern techniques of farming practice, as well as provision of implements to Katsina farmers. Governor Radda, while speaking with the management of the foundation during an official trip to South Korea, requested for the extra funding and expansion of the project scope to cover many Katsina communities.
In their response, the management of the foundation agreed to continue working in Katsina. They also pledged to jointly develop a framework for the operationalization of the extension, and expansion of the project as requested by Governor Radda.
*8. KOICA Pledges Support for Katsina’s Rural Development*
Similarly, Governor Dikko Radda, penultimate Monday, visited the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for a partnership agreement between KOICA and the Katsina State Government. Governor Radda was accompanied to KOICA corporate head office, by the acting Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Mr. Ferdinand O. Nwonye, where he discussed his experience with KOICA and the time he spent at their facility in 2016, as the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN.
He requested additional support from KOICA in the area of the provision of small farming implements and small-scale irrigation technologies to Katsina farmers. During the meeting,
Governor Radda also solicited KOICA’s support in the training and development of ICT for the state civil service, as well as the Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA), among others.
Responding, the KOICA management assured Governor Radda that they will work with their country office in Nigeria to support Katsina state.
Kaula Mohammed is the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Katsina State Governor.
From Daniel Abel Lafia
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Sunday flagged off the disbursement of $250, 000 World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) loan to farmers from 10 communities in the state.
The project is a World Bank assisted in collaboration with the federal government and Nasarawa state.
Speaking at the event in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) the governor indicated that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the state and Federal Government to support farmers to boost their productive activities on farm.
Sule added that the state government had recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10, 000 farmers in the state to support farming.
The Governor explained that the ACReSAL loan is a revolving and interest free to farmers aimed at boosting agricultural output and improving the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
According to him, the 10 benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The governor added that climate change has brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers.
He said that his administration would continue to collaborate with partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the state.
“To this end, We are partnering with the Federal Government, World Bank through ACReSAL project help vulnerable communities to adopt to the impact of climate change.
“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and generate employment.
“Enhance farmers and communities capacity for climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation and enhance understanding of sustainable agricultural practices to help address conflicts,” Sule added.
Gov. Sule expressed appreciation for the selection of Nasarawa State among the right piloting states for the scheme.
He said that the state government would support farmers to implement community climate resilient initiatives beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project.
He therefore urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant for.
On her part, Dr Joy Iganya-Agene- Task Team Leader ACReSAL said that 620 farmers comprising 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the two LGAs were given the free interest agricultural loan.
Iganya-Agene who is also a Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank Nigeria Office, listed the communities in Doma to includes Ohiha, Madative, Odurigya, Yalwa and Alagye, while those from Toto are; Zolo, Umasha, Dereegba, Ayiwawa, and Sere.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Aliyu Ogah, Andoma of Doma expressed gratitude to the state government and the organisation for the gesture to farmers in his domain.
The royal father expressed optimism that the support would help toward improving productivity of farmers in the benefiting communities.
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has unveiled the economic potentials of the State to investors at the ongoing “Nasarawa Investment Summit 2024”
In his welcome address at the event the Governor declared that the state is housing several mineral resources that have attracted huge investors already.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained effort in driving the Nigerian economy to prosperity and his unalloyed loyalty and continued support in order to take the country to greater heights.
“It is pertinent to remind you that Nasarawa State organised the first edition of the Nasarawa Investment Summit in 2022 under the theme “Diamond in the Rough: The Making of a New Investment Frontier”aimed at ushering investment and showcasing our mineral resources to potential investors.
“I am happy to state that the outcome of the Summit informed the influx of investors into the State who are variously harnessing our God-given endowment.
“Interestingly, the recently commissioned Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited in Nasarawa State performed by Mr. President, the ASGARD Mining and Processing Plant, Karu, the Nasarawa Technology Village Project in Karu, as well as other numerous investments being carried out in the State were all informed by the outcome of the Summit conducted in 2022.
“It is also heartwarming to state that the Federal Government commissioned the spud-in of the Ebenyi-A Oil Well in Obi Local Government Area of the State.
“The discovery of Oil and Gas and its subsequent exploration and exploitation will further boost the economy prosperity of our dear country and put Nasarawa State among the comity of Oil producing States.
“I, therefore, call on the investors on Oil and Gas to take opportunity of the exploration activities to begin to invest in the sector for the benefit of the society.
Sule however assured that his administration would continue to fully utilise potentials of the state resources by sustaining the Investment Summit in order to further showcase other solid mineral resources which are yet to be identified by interested investors.
“This is why the theme of this year’s Summit is deliberately coined as “The Industrial Renaissance”, having built some of the key fundamentals required to drive our industrial agenda and present other minerals to our potential investors.
The governor noted the summit will further expand the existing pathways to leverage on the industrial, agricultural and mining sectors towards enhancing inclusive and sustainable wealth creation and economic prosperity of the state.
“It is pertinent to point out that, as a State, we have been deliberate in stimulating our economy, building human capacities, creating wealth and generate employment to our people.
“It is for this reason that we have adopted our policy document christened “Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS)” as a driving force towards the initiation and implementation of various programmes and policies which we have achieved so far.
Sule stated that with the assemblage of the experienced and versatile resource persons the outcome of the Summit will go a long way towards actualizing the dream of industrializing Nasarawa State and position it as a leading champion.
Mr. Sule called on development partners to continue to invest in Nasarawa State with the view to open the frontiers of economic prosperity for the benefit of all, noting that “Nasarawa mean business”
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
Apparently piqued by the level of disloyalty and insubordination being displayed by political appointees in governor Abdullahi Sule’s cabinet ahead of 2027, the governor has read the riot act for those who may dare him.
Sule gave the indication in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma dated April 16th, 2024.
According to the letter, “political appointees seeking to run for any political office are advised to either resign their appointments or wait until the lifting of the existing ban on political activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“While noting with dismay how some political office holders under the present administration are actively participating in political activities, including active campaign, Sule noted that such elements and conducts is capable of breaching the electoral act, as well as distracting the focus of his administration.
Sule who could no longer cope with outrageous drumming of support to persons that are not his anointed candidate for 2027, warned that such appointees maybe shown the way out of his cabinet if they persist.
He warned that his administration would no longer condone such acts of disloyalty and insubordination from political appointees.
The governor who felt demeaned and distracted with only one year into the second tenure stated that he is focused on the delivery of infrastructural development, economic empowerment, and sustainable development of the state.
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