Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering women and vulnerable groups through entrepreneurship and skills development. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Katsina State Coalition of Women Organisations’ Skills Acquisition Initiative on Sunday, the governor announced a donation of N21 million to support the programme’s expansion.
The event, held at the Local Government Service Commission Hall in Katsina, marked the graduation of 1,050 women trained across 11 departments in various small-scale business skills over the past eight months. Governor Radda praised the Coalition’s work, describing the programme as “a service to humanity,” and urged the beneficiaries to remain disciplined and focused as they begin their entrepreneurial journeys.
“The small start you are given today can grow into something much greater tomorrow,” he said, stressing that entrepreneurship remains one of the most reliable paths to success. He noted that the N21 million donation was an additional government intervention to strengthen the initiative, adding that his administration would continue to support women, youths, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the state.
Coordinator of the Coalition, Binta Dangani, highlighted the impact of the initiative. Apart from training and certifying 1,050 women, five outstanding women from each of the 11 departments received N10,000 each as start-up capital. The programme also extended its reach to other vulnerable groups: 50 almajirai received uniforms and study materials and were enrolled in school, 50 orphans received school uniforms, and 220 married women in Islamiya classes participated in lectures to strengthen family and marriage life.
Mrs. Dangani appealed to the governor for assistance in completing the Coalition’s Islamiya school, which currently has only a fence and partially completed classrooms. She expressed gratitude for the government’s continued support, noting that many of the beneficiaries were IDPs now equipped with tools to rebuild their lives.
In recognition of his efforts, the Coalition presented Governor Radda with the Award of Excellence in Leadership for Women and Youth Development. Chairman of the Katsina State Hisbah Board, Abu Ammar, also urged parents to instill strong values in their children and encouraged women to embrace self-reliance instead of street begging.
The ceremony was attended by top government officials, community leaders, and hundreds of beneficiaries, who praised both the Coalition and the governor for their commitment to strengthening empowerment programmes across Katsina State.
