Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has assured residents of Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas that his administration will continue to channel resources into security, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and youth empowerment to rebuild communities affected by insecurity.
Governor Radda gave the assurance in Musawa during a community relief and empowerment programme organised in collaboration with stakeholders and the member representing Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmad Dujiman Katsina.
The event also witnessed the formal launch of the Musawa Development Initiative (MDI), a community-driven platform established by stakeholders to provide support to residents affected by banditry while promoting long-term socio-economic development across the area.
As part of the empowerment programme, Governor Radda distributed 500 motorcycles, alongside agricultural inputs, financial assistance and other relief materials to selected beneficiaries from Musawa and Matazu.
The governor commended Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmad for his contribution to the initiative, particularly his N30 million donation and support for the distribution of motorcycles.
According to Radda, the intervention represents an important step towards restoring the livelihoods of residents whose economic activities have been disrupted by insecurity.
He said government would not abandon communities facing security challenges, stressing that sustainable development could only be achieved when residents were protected and empowered to return to productive activities.
The governor also urged beneficiaries to use the support responsibly, particularly the motorcycles and agricultural inputs, to rebuild their livelihoods and contribute to the economic recovery of their communities.
The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musa Musawa, also appealed to residents to maintain unity and strengthen their collective resolve in confronting insecurity.
She pledged to facilitate additional support for the people of the area, stressing that development efforts would have greater impact when government and communities worked together.
Also speaking, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmad Dujiman said he was committed to strengthening the activities of the Community Watch Corps and local vigilantes as part of efforts to complement government security operations.
He called on residents of Musawa and Matazu to support the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that sustained cooperation between communities and government was essential for achieving further development at the grassroots.
The member representing Musawa Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Alhaji Lawal Awe, disclosed that the Musawa Development Initiative had identified 2,523 victims of banditry in the area who were scheduled to benefit from the intervention.
He described the initiative as a significant community response to the humanitarian and economic consequences of insecurity, particularly for families that had lost livelihoods or means of support.
The Chairman of Musawa Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Idris Gingin, also commended the organisers and government for bringing relief closer to affected residents.
Other speakers at the gathering included Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur Ahmed Jikamshi; Chairman of the Gwagware Foundation, Alhaji Yusuf Ali Musawa; Alhaji Sada Abdullahi Inde; the Musawa District Head, Alhaji Sagir Abdullahi Inde; and a representative of Alhaji Muhammad Abu Ibrahim.
They called for greater collaboration among government agencies, traditional institutions, community organisations and residents to address insecurity and accelerate development across the area.
The programme attracted several prominent government officials and political leaders, including former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; Katsina State Chief of Staff, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Principal Private Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; and members of the Katsina State Executive Council.
The gathering underscored a growing push for community-led interventions in Musawa and Matazu, with stakeholders combining relief assistance, economic empowerment and local security initiatives in a bid to help communities recover from the impact of banditry.
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