Dikko Umaru Radda

By Muhammad Malumfashi

It is no longer intriguing to discuss with the victims of withheld pension payments under the current administration in Katsina State. The pensioners are experiencing severe hunger, their children are unable to attend school, and as a result, their families are vulnerable to social problems for which the governor of Katsina is responsible.

How can a rational government extend the screening process until salary time, knowing that their screening team is not mature and time-conscious enough to complete their work before the start of the salary period? This government, which claims to be ‘intelligent’, is creating unnecessary chaos.

I have listened to the accounts of the victims. Regrettably, this government is not taking significant steps to address the issue. These unpaid pensioners dedicated their lives to serving our state. Some could have found lucrative jobs elsewhere but chose to remain in Katsina and serve their home state until retirement. And now, the government is rewarding them with starvation. What an ungrateful government!

If Governor Dikko Umar Radda (PhD) indeed possesses a doctorate, he should not have merely stated it through words, but instead, he should have demonstrated it through his actions. Unfortunately, his actions don’t even match those of someone who has never had the opportunity to attend elementary school. A PhD, in my opinion, should be characterised by excellence, compassion, promptness, and exceptional decision-making. However, the current government, led by Dikko, is the complete opposite of what we expected.

Dikko should not give us the impression that we are moving from frying pan to fire under the APC’s administration in Katsina. We have long to witness a significant distinction between educated leaders and those lacking education. But Dikko demonstrates, through his actions, that the only difference lies in whether they attain power. They are all birds of the same feather.

Dikko started impudently with a fervent religious overtone and resolute vigour regarding his esteemed doctorate. Katsina’s initial expectations were that a transformation would ensue, surpassing the advancements of neighbouring states in infrastructure development, educational excellence, scholarly interventions, agricultural sustainability, and unexplored approaches to security intelligence. However, to our dismay, we regret electing this incapable and uninspiring PhD holder to lead our state affairs.

We earnestly implore Governor Dikko to take compassionate action, whether motivated by his moral duty or the preservation of his scholarly prestige and promptly provide the pensioners with their long-overdue pensions. Their current living conditions have reached an unacceptable state, bordering on the unimaginable, and if not addressed promptly, dire consequences may unfold.

It is disconcerting to witness the sight of workers and pensioners protesting on the streets, exemplifying the government’s ill-treatment towards them. Should our esteemed governor not execute the necessary actions, it would mark an unfortunate first during his tenure and harm the state’s harmonious relationship with its workforce.

A thorough assessment of his achievements thus far has made it evident that a degree or doctorate certificate is not a prerequisite for government appointments or the ability to govern effectively. Dikko’s PhD has not set him apart from his predecessors; instead, he merely builds upon their legacies. The sole accomplishment I can attribute to his tenure is the establishment of the ‘Katsina State Security Watch Corps,’ which emerged as a product of his government initiative. Unfortunately, there seem to be no further substantial achievements to highlight.

Nonetheless, our followers are responsible for recognising that even the constitution does not require a specific educational qualification, such as a degree or PhD, for individuals seeking governance. We should disregard excessive education and prioritise transparency, credibility, competence, experience, past performance, and a candidate’s track record to determine their eligibility for our vote. This is because having a PhD has not translated into tangible benefits for our society, such as improved living conditions or economic prosperity.

Initially, I believed that with the grandiose claims made by Dikko and his supporters about his PhD degree, Katsina would have transformed into a modern metropolis like Dubai or Qatar by now. However, disappointingly, we have yet to surpass the standards set by even neighbouring states in the northwest, let alone compete with the more developed southern states.

We have now realised that all the hype and celebration surrounding Dikko’s qualifications were falsehoods (duk karya ne). He has failed to deliver on his promises, and the role of the governor surpasses that of the Director-General of Smedan. Furthermore, Katsina is not simply a local government like Charanchi.

Muhammad Malumfashi wrote via muhammadisyakumalumfashi@gmail.com.

By Isah Miqdad

The Executive Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, has approved the appointment of Naufal Ahmed as Director General (ICT Directorate).

The appointment, which is with effect from 14th August 2023, is based on the conviction that Mr Naufal will serve faithfully, diligently, and in the best interest of the service.

As the visionary founder of the esteemed Kirkira Innovation Hub, Naufal has pioneered the establishment of the first-ever technology hub in the region. This groundbreaking initiative has served as a transformative force, equipping countless young individuals with vital technological skills and providing them with a platform to thrive.

Naufal’s remarkable career as a tech ecosystem builder has been nothing short of extraordinary. With an unwavering passion for innovation and youth empowerment, his impact on the tech landscape of Katsina and Nigeria at large is undeniable.

He has been a sought-after speaker and organiser at numerous conferences across Katsina and the country, sharing his insights and inspiring others to embrace innovation.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Naufal has received numerous accolades, including being named among the Opportunities Hub’s 100 Most Influential Youths for his significant contributions to youth development and entrepreneurship.

By Amir Sa’ad Ribadu

The 2023 election cycle has introduced quite a handful of female politicians ranging from the candidates themselves to the wives of candidates. Some female politicians have garnered massive publicity and relevance within their states, while others have become national figures and inspirations to women all over Nigeria.

One such woman is the wife of Katsina state Governor-elect Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, whose sudden emergence in the Katsina state political scene has made her an inspiration to women and a political force to reckon with in Katsina.

Before her emergence into the scene as a result of her husband’s success at the Katsina APC primaries sometime in May 2022, Hajiya Fatima, fondly known in Katsina as Zinariya is only known for her philanthropy, passion for educating the girl-child and healthcare delivery by a few beneficiaries of her foundation, PAC-F. PAC-F, which she founded a few years back, has kept her busy. In a recent interview, Hajiya Fatima attributed her passion for philanthropy, which birthed PAC-F, to her late mother.

In another interview in December, she told reporters how she intends to support her husband’s policy, especially in eradicating poverty and improving the healthcare and educational environment for the Katsina girl child.

It is therefore not surprising when she was seen campaigning so vigorously that she is said to have taken her husband’s message personally to 146 wards out of the 361 wards in Katsina, which is unprecedented for the wife of any guber candidate in any state in the North.

Her campaigns mainly centred around her husband’s policy document. Also, they focused on her passion for helping the girl child and supporting her husband in making healthcare delivery accessible to all in Katsina, especially women.

She seems to have been accepted by women and young people in Kastina because most can relate with her, owing to her age, ability to understand and proffer solutions, and natural propensity for generosity. Her acceptance is evident through the crowd she gathers every time she’s at a campaign rally or even in her house when she’s around Katsina.

Her Batagarawa low-cost home has become a popular destination for many who need assistance for medical purposes or daily needs. Her humility, they say, is akin to that of the carpenter of Nazareth.

Her youthful determination and willingness to contribute to her husband, Dr Dikko Radda’s campaign, could be seen in how passionately she reached out to the electorates in Katsina villages. She travelled through the length and breadth of Katsina’s Funtua Zone, a zone marred by insecurity and violence, and on many occasions, some members of her entourage have opted to stay back, but not Zinariya. This is because she was determined to witness first-hand the situation of the typical Katsina family in the villages where insecurity and poverty are rife.

It is, therefore, not surprising to see youth and women rally around her, chanting slogans of hers and her husband’s whenever she is around. This and many more reasons are why Katsina is said to be lucky to have a youthful, energetic, and passionate Governor in Dr Dikko Radda, who shares precisely the same qualities as his wife, Zinariya Fatima Dikko Radda.

Amir Sa’ad Ribadu writes from Libreville Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja. He can be contacted via mrribadu@gmail.com.

By Yusuf Murtala

With great delight, pleasure and excitement, I write to congratulate you on this marathon achievement of being elected Governor of Katsina State in the recently concluded election. Your success is a sign that Katsina state is on the verge of becoming a greater state again. I pray you to achieve your plans for Katsina state in sha Allah.

I write to inform or remind you about the current or sorry state of my dear town, Maska, which I believe is part of your plans to restore the good image of rural areas and carry them all along in your administration, which you stated in your blueprint that they could also contribute to the development of our dear State.

With a population of over 50,000, Maska is left behind by previous administrations/governments because they’re not informed about the abundant natural resources. It has, which can if carefully managed, generated a handsome amount of revenue for the state.

I Would not hesitate to remind you about the dirty Condition of our (Maska Community Comprehensive Hospital) which was built a long time ago by a patriotic citizen to save the town and its environs from the suffering they experience in an attempt to carry their patients to the local Government near them for treatment. It’s in a dirty condition as inadequate or lacking infrastructural development to treat patients. Female and male wards are left shattered that even animals will suffer to live therein. Toilets and maternity wards where our parents ( Pregnant women ) are received is also a thing to cry out for. I hope his excellency will consider us on this too.

Our local market (Maska Monday Market) is undoubtedly a hub of the economy, where millions of transactions are carried out every Monday. Thus, reconstructing it by providing or building newly constructed shops or stores will ensure much attendance, especially in the rainy season. This will also encourage investors or businessmen from and around the town to participate actively and hugely contribute to the economy of my dear state and the country at large.

I will not forget to remind you again about the Dam in my town which, if also given a concern, will save several unemployed youths from roaming the street. Moreover, reconstructing it will also create jobs for the teeming populace as it will be used to enhance dry season farming, popularly known as (Noman Rani) and encourage fishing farming which is also a means of generating income for the state.

Security issues of the state are among the top priorities you highly placed in your blueprint, and we firmly believe they will be drastically eradicated quickly.

Finally, your excellency, we hope and pray that this letter will reach you in good and sound health. We also pray that your administration will be smoothly carried out.

Yusuf Murtala can be reach via yusufmurtala595@gmail.com