Katsina Governor-elect: Setting The Ball Rolling -By Adamu S. Ladan

With presentation of certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) it can be said the road is now clear for Dr. Dikko Umar Radda to set in motion the machinery of governance in Katsina state. 

At an epoch making but brief ceremony, the INEC National Commissioner, Prof.  A.A. Zuru presented the certificates  of return to Dr. Radda and his Deputy, Hon. Faruk Lawal Jobe amidst chanting crowd of supporters and well wishers who gathered at the commission headquarters to witness the event. 

Speaking shortly after collecting the certificate, Dr. Radda thanked the electorates for the confidence reposedin him, assuring that he will not betray their trust. 

Later in the evening, another groundbreaking event took place at the Council Chambers of Muhammad Buhari  House, Katsina where the state governor,  Rt.Hon Aminu Bello Masari launched two important committees- Transition,  and Inauguration Committees. 

The committees are to ensure smooth transition and handover to the incoming administration. The committees are chaired by the Director General of APC campaign council in Katsina state, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and the state commissioner, water resources, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua respectively. 

Speaking while inaugurating the committees, Masari who read out their terms of reference charge them to work diligently. 

Responding on behalf of all the committees, Arc. Dangiwa while commending the choice of membership assured the governor that they will produce the best of results within the time frame given them. 

Earlier on Wednesday, the governor elect had inaugurated eleven committees to retune his blueprint for the state. 

Inaugurating  the committees, Dr. Radda said though the document he presented while lunching his campaign provides insight of his strategic plan for the state there is need to inject more inputs of professionals into it. 

The blueprint according to him was originally his own thoughts, and now that the people have given him their mandates it became necessary to subject it to their scrutiny. 

This he said, is with a view to institute an all-inclusive governance in the state. 

Hence, he explained, professionals from diverse background with impeccable characters and positions were drawn to enrich the document. 

Given insight into specific areas of his priorities, Dr. Radda said he wants  the committee on agriculture propose policies  and strategies for the development  and support of the sector and allied industries.    

Noting the place of agriculture as the main stay of the economy of the state, the governor elect said his administration will underscore investments in the sector  with incentives on land and value chain development as well as building the technical and organisational capacity of farmers. 

These he explained would be achieved through the revival and Promotion of  agricultural extension services, as well as enhancing the ministry of agriculture capability. 

On Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) support, Dr.  Radda wants a robust touch on the sector to make it a key player in jobs creation. 

Echoing the need for the state to reclaim its past glory on education, the governor elect want to make the sector contributing  towards the development of the state by making it more relevant for social and economic progress. 

This he emphasised will be achieve not just through establishment of a curriculum that imparts basic skills in traditional subjects, but also in promoting social cohesion between the content of education and the needs of the labour market.

Stressing that the promotion of preventive healthcare will be the cardinal principle of his administration health policy, the governor elect charges the committee on health to emphasise on a strategy for a healthcare system which will be driven by quality medical services that are affordable and accessible to the people. 

Another area that will receive his attention according to the governor elect is land reform that will make the sector be in tune with best global practices. 

Katsina City which had transformed from a provisional headquarters about three and half decades ago will also receive a boost according to Dr. Radda with a production of master plan befitting of its prevailing status. 

However, Dr. Radda said all these laudable goals cannot be achieved without funding from an improved internally generated revenue (IGR). It’s on this premise he said a committee on the IGR is expected to come up with strategies for the development  and support of revenue generation that is driven by increased in Investment in technology and infrastructure for generations.

Similarly,  Dr. Radda observed that no matter how much investments are made in all the sectors there would not be any development without peace and security. 

It’s in this regard he said his administration has as its top priority the development  and support of climate of peace, security and stability in the state.

Consequently,  he said the administration will establish a Social Care Sector under his office as part of the strategies of ensuring permanent security in the state. 

In furtherance to the realisation of peace and development, the governor elect also said he would want to see the role of traditional institution streamlined as heads of unit within the framework of developmental efforts of the state. 

On the religious front, Dr. Radda said his administration will give priority to the promotion of Islamic education for the attainment of moral and ethical values, social justice, economic prosperity and political balance. 

Similarly, he underlined the need for the enlistment of organized religious groups by his administration to advance the principles of cooperations and collaborations to bring development in the state. 

Considering the importance of public service in the conveyance and implementation of these policies and programmes, the need for a vibrant and technology savvy public service sector according to Dr. Radda has become amatter of necessity. Hence, the governor elect said his administration will undertake a public sector reform. 

The reform according to him will targets improvement in the quality of public service and the lives of public servants to make the sector more relevant for social and economic progress of a modern state. 

As the Director General of the APC campaign council in Katsina state, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa said in a remark to introduce the reform committees, the governor elect blueprint was a work in progress, therefore all eyes will now be on these committees of wise men to produce a document that will stand the test of time. 

A document which according to the DG  will transform the state into a united, secured, industrious, caring and God fearing democratic society committed to making the basic needs of life affordable for every citizen.

 Ladan, Member, Inauguration Committee of the Governor elect, Katsina state.