As Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s extensive tour of all 34 Local Government Areas of Katsina State came to an end, the visit to Rimi Local Government stood out as one of the most defining highlights of the statewide engagement. The colourful ceremony, marked by cheers from residents and the presentation of wide ranging empowerment materials, reinforced the administration’s commitment to strengthening grassroots development. The governor’s commendation of the Rimi Local Government Chairman Muhammad Ali Rimi, added depth to the event and underscored the crucial role of local leadership in driving community progress.
The statewide tour, which lasted weeks, enabled Governor Radda to interface with communities, inspect ongoing and flagged off projects and gather insights directly from citizens. From remote rural settlements to bustling township centres, the governor assessed interventions across sectors and engaged with people at all levels. By the time the tour reached Rimi, the governor had built a consistent narrative around responsibility, accountability and partnership in governance.
The event in Rimi was marked by the unveiling of an extensive list of empowerment materials procured by the local government council. These included motorcycles, sewing wheels, grinding machines, fridges, pasta making machines, food items, utility vehicles and a monetary empowerment package of ₦30.8 million. The items were carefully distributed to beneficiaries drawn from across wards women, youth, artisans, vulnerable households and small scale business owners.
Chairman Muhammad Ali Rimi in his remarks, expressed gratitude to Governor Radda for his leadership and for honouring the council with the final stop of the statewide tour. He explained that the empowerment programme was born out of consultations with community stakeholders who identified the need for practical economic support at the household level. According to him, the programme was designed to strengthen small scale businesses, support families struggling with current economic realities and encourage self reliance among youth and women.
“This empowerment programme represents our commitment to improving the economic life of our people,” the chairman said. “We conducted careful assessments across the wards to understand the needs of our residents. What we are witnessing today is the outcome of that engagement. Our goal is to support our people with tools that can help them build stable livelihoods. We believe that when households are empowered, the entire community becomes stronger.”
Chairman Ali Rimi further noted that the council will continue to place priority on programmes that directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens. He pledged to work closely with the state government to ensure that developmental gains are consolidated across the local government. He thanked the governor for providing an enabling environment where local councils can operate with autonomy and accountability, saying such an administrative style has encouraged innovation at the grassroots.
“We are committed to supporting the vision of His Excellency by ensuring that Rimi Local Government remains a centre of productivity, discipline and responsible governance,” he said. “This empowerment initiative is only the beginning. We will continue to design policies that respond to the needs of our people and complement the efforts of the state government.
”Governor Radda, while responding to the chairman’s remarks, described the programme as “timely and meaningful,” praising the chairman for demonstrating leadership grounded in empathy, consultation and effectiveness. He encouraged beneficiaries to make the best use of the items provided, stressing that empowerment is not a temporary relief but a long term opportunity.
“Empowerment is not merely the distribution of items, it is a call to responsibility,” the governor said. “We expect beneficiaries to put these resources to productive use, support their families, expand their businesses and contribute to the economic growth of this great local government.”
Beyond the empowerment programme, Governor Radda commissioned the newly renovated Eyka Central Mosque, a notable project executed by the Rimi Local Government Council. The renovation, which restored the mosque to a befitting standard, was widely celebrated by residents who described it as a significant investment in both spiritual life and community cohesion. The governor praised the decision to undertake the project, noting that places of worship remain vital centres of guidance, unity and moral instruction.
As part of the day’s engagements, Governor Radda paid a courtesy visit to the District Head of Rimi, Alhaji Aminu Nuhu Abdulkadir, Kauran Katsina. The interaction brought together traditional leaders, village heads and other community leaders, marking one of the most symbolic gatherings of the entire tour. The governor used the opportunity to reflect on his engagements across the state, praising traditional institutions for their role in maintaining peace, supporting governance and preserving cultural values.
He emphasised that traditional leaders remain trusted partners in achieving development, especially in areas such as security, mobilisation and community sensitisation. According to him, the synergy between government and traditional institutions has significantly supported the administration’s efforts to deliver projects, implement policies and respond to community needs.
A stakeholder, Alhaji Salisu Mamman Kadandani, speaking on behalf of community leaders, commended Governor Radda for his administration’s visible achievements across sectors. He described Rimi as one of the beneficiaries of the governor’s people focused approach to development and assured that the district remains loyal to the administration’s vision. He also commended Chairman Rimi for demonstrating exemplary leadership through the empowerment drive.
The event attracted an impressive array of political leaders and government officials including the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, Principal Private Secretary, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji and federal lawmakers representing Batagarawa Rimi Charanchi and Mashi Dutsi constituencies. Others present included the National APC Legal Adviser Barrister Murtala Aliyu Kankia, the Katsina State APC Chairman Alhaji Sani JB Daura, members of the State Executive Council and various political leaders.
Their presence added weight to the event and signified a united front committed to supporting development programmes across the state. It also reflected the political cohesion behind the governor’s initiatives and the high regard enjoyed by the Rimi Local Government Council under Chairman Muhammad Ali Rimi.
As the governor’s convoy departed Rimi, the conclusion of the statewide LGA tour signalled a new phase in the administration’s commitment to implementing the insights gathered across communities. For Rimi, the visit marked a turning point one that highlighted strong leadership, coordinated development efforts and renewed hope among residents.
With the empowerment drive now in motion and the partnership between the state government and local council stronger than ever, the people of Rimi look ahead with optimism, inspired by leadership that listens, acts and places community welfare at the heart of its priorities.
