Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to fighting hunger and malnutrition across the state, describing the challenge as both a moral and spiritual responsibility that must be confronted with compassion and collective action.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony of the distribution of 90,000 bags of grains to vulnerable households, today, at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Governor Radda said the initiative was a direct response to the current economic hardship affecting families and the rising rate of malnutrition among children in the state.
“This event is not just about food. It is about compassion, duty, and responsibility,” the Governor stated. “It represents our shared determination to ensure that no family in Katsina goes to bed hungry, and that no child suffers from malnutrition or neglect.”
Governor Radda explained that the initiative followed the findings of a high-powered committee he constituted earlier this year to investigate the malnutrition situation in Katsina. The committee’s report, he said, revealed alarming trends that demanded urgent government intervention to safeguard the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable households.
He disclosed that beneficiaries of the current distribution were carefully identified using verified data from the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Community-Level Committees, and the Committee on Malnutrition to ensure that the grains reach those who genuinely need them.
The Governor stressed that while government continues to play its part, the responsibility to care for children and protect family wellbeing must also be shared by everyone.
“Caring for our children is not just a civic duty, it is a divine obligation,” he said. “When a child goes hungry or a mother cannot feed her baby, it is not merely an economic issue; it is a moral and spiritual failure.”
Governor Radda also announced several ongoing interventions aimed at combating malnutrition and strengthening healthcare delivery across Katsina State.
He revealed that the state government is establishing 60 new Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) Centres in various parts of the state to provide timely nutritional support for children and mothers. In addition, nine existing malnutrition treatment centres located in the most affected local government areas are being upgraded to improve capacity and service delivery.
The Governor further disclosed that plans are underway to establish a Tom Brown and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) factory in Katsina, which will locally produce nutritional supplements for malnourished children and nursing mothers.
According to him, these targeted interventions have already contributed to reducing the state’s malnutrition rate to between 8 and 10 percent.
Governor Radda linked the grain distribution to his administration’s broader social protection and food security drive, explaining that it complements other empowerment initiatives such as the recent support for 4,000 irrigation farmers under the Katsina State Community Development Programme (CDP).
He commended the Committee on Malnutrition, traditional and religious leaders, as well as development partners including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), for their continued dedication and collaboration in addressing the challenges of hunger and malnutrition.
“As we flag off this exercise, I urge everyone involved to handle the distribution with honesty, transparency, and sincerity. Let every bag of grain reach those who truly need it,” the Governor emphasized.
He concluded by reaffirming that governance, to his administration, remains a sacred trust between leaders and the people.
“Poverty is not just a number or a statistic; it is the story of real people, mothers, fathers, and children who deserve our attention, care, and compassion,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee on Malnutrition, Dr. Ahmad Musa Abdullahi, described the exercise as a reflection of Governor Radda’s compassion and foresight. He recalled that the committee, upon completing its assessment and submitting its report in September 2025, received immediate approval from the Governor for the current intervention.
“This effort is not just social welfare; it is an act of faith, compassion, and duty before Allah,” Dr. Ahmad said. “Each bag distributed today represents not only food, but also hope, mercy, and the people’s trust in Your Excellency’s leadership.”
He assured that the distribution will be carried out with fairness and transparency, with monitoring teams drawn from government agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, ALGON, and Zakkat and Waqf Committees overseeing the process.
The Coordinator of the Community Development Programme (CDP), Dr. Kamal, noted that the event coincided with the one-year anniversary of the CDP, which has touched thousands of lives through interventions in agriculture, food security, and poverty alleviation.
“Our mission has always been to take development directly to the grassroots,” he said. “We thank His Excellency for his vision and continuous guidance in ensuring that every initiative truly benefits the people.”
The Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, described the initiative as a direct outcome of the Governor’s decisive leadership.
He said the grains will support malnutrition treatment efforts across Stabilization and OTP Centres, while the state government continues to strengthen health and nutrition systems in collaboration with donor agencies.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of Katsina Local Government, Hon. Isah Miqdad, thanked the Governor for choosing Katsina as the first location for the flag-off ceremony, assuring that every ward in the local government will receive its fair share of the grains.
Speaking on behalf of all 34 local government chairmen, the Deputy ALGON Chairman, Hon. Rabo Tambaya, commended Governor Radda people-centered leadership and assured full support to ensure transparency and success in the distribution process.
He noted that “this marks about the third phase of such humanitarian intervention under your administration, and we are proud to see the positive change it brings to our people. We remain committed to ensuring that this effort reaches every deserving household.”
The event was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers like representatives from katsina and daura Emirates; and religious leaders, development partners like MSF, and beneficiaries from across the state.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Katsina State
3rd November, 2025
