Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has reaffirmed his administrations commitment to translating the ideals of Nigeria’s independence into tangible development as the state signed the N828.58 billion 2027 Appropriation Law and approved fresh interventions in energy, education, healthcare, roads, youth development and rural infrastructure.
Gov Radda in his message to Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, described October 1 as an opportunity to honour the sacrifices of the nations founding fathers and other citizens who contributed to its unity and progress while renewing the collective responsibility to build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
The Governor said Nigeria’s journey since independence had been marked by both triumphs and challenges but maintained that the resilience of its people remained a critical force sustaining the country. He urged Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences and strengthen their commitment to peace, security, national unity and development.
“For us in Katsina, nation building begins at home. It means making our communities safer, putting our children in school, supporting our farmers and businesses, improving healthcare and ensuring that government works for the ordinary citizen” Gov Radda said adding that his administration would continue to pursue these responsibilities with purpose.
The anniversary message coincided with the signing of the state’s N828.58bn 2027 Appropriation Law by the Governor which he described as a people oriented budget derived from needs assessments conducted across 361 wards in the 34 Local Government Areas of Katsina.
He explained that the budget underwent three layers of scrutiny, beginning with the collation of priorities from the grassroots, followed by defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies before the Governor and subsequent legislative scrutiny and passage by the Katsina State House of Assembly.
Presenting the Appropriation Law, Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura disclosed that N190,726,262,820.44 was allocated to recurrent expenditure, while N637,852,581,271.03 was earmarked for capital expenditure. He commended the early passage of the budget, noting that it was signed on September 30, two months earlier than the 2026 budget signed on November 17 of the previous year.
The Governor commended the House of Assembly and the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning for their roles in the early completion of the budget process while charging implementing agencies to ensure timely and effective execution. He also congratulated Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari representing Katsina on his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to The Gambia.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Executive Council has approved the procurement and installation of balance of system accessories for solar photovoltaic inverters and battery energy storage systems at 11 critical public facilities, in a move projected to significantly reduce the state’s electricity expenditure.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Power and Energy Dr Hafiz Ahmed said the facilities include Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, three waterworks and a booster station, General Amadi Rimi Hospital, Turai Yaradua Maternity Hospital, the State House of Assembly and Katsina State High Court.
According to Ahmed, the facilities account for 93.4 percent of the Katsina State Government’s total electricity expenditure while the planned solar intervention has a combined capacity of 20 megawatts and is projected to save the government about N7 billion through reduced reliance on grid electricity and diesel powered generators.
He further disclosed that Katsina’s power generation capacity had risen from zero megawatts when the Radda administration assumed office to more than 30 megawatts, with the government targeting 70 megawatts by 2031 under an Integrated Resource Plan developed in partnership with Power Africa.
Beyond the energy sector, the Executive Council approved a monthly N10,000 allowance for 2500 youths, external works at the Special Model Secondary Schools in Jikamshi and Dumurkul, the adoption of recommendations from the Teachers Voice Survey aimed at improving teachers’ English proficiency, instructional leadership and equitable deployment of teachers.
The Council also approved the maiden Katsina State Inter Wards Grassroots Football Tournament, procurement of a new Caterpillar asphalt paver for the Katsina State Roads Maintenance Agency, motorcycles for each of the 34 Local Government Areas and healthcare projects covering General Hospitals in Jibia, Batsari and Ingawa, the upgrade of the Bindawa Primary Health Care Centre to a Maternal and Child Hospital as well as renovation of doctors quarters at General Hospital, Katsina.
The Governor said the various interventions were consistent with his administration’s broader development agenda and its commitment to making government more responsive to the needs of citizens. He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, not to lose faith in the country stressing that the future of Nigeria would depend on the choices, courage and contributions of its citizens as he wished President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians at home and in the diaspora a peaceful 66th Independence Anniversary.
