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By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The World Bank has expressed interest in adopting Katsina State’s Community Development Programme (CDP) framework as a model for possible replication in other states across Nigeria, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has disclosed.
Radda made the disclosure on Tuesday in Katsina while inaugurating the Dikko Mai da Alkhairi da Alkhairi movement, a grassroots platform established by community development leaders across the state.
According to the governor, the World Bank’s interest followed a recent engagement with a delegation from the international development institution, which he said was impressed by the impact of the CDP at the grassroots.
He said the development had placed Katsina’s community-driven approach on the radar of development partners, particularly because of its focus on taking government interventions directly to communities.
Radda described the recognition as an indication that development programmes anchored on community participation could help bridge the gap between government and citizens.
“Today, I do not want to say too much because what our administration has done within the last three years is already speaking for itself,” the governor said.
He commended members of the CDP for their contribution to grassroots development, noting that the newly inaugurated movement emerged from communities that had witnessed the impact of government interventions.
The governor also clarified that the CDP was established to serve residents across Katsina State irrespective of political affiliation.
He said the programme had continued to provide a channel for government interventions in areas such as agriculture, fertiliser distribution, water initiatives and other community-based projects.
Radda further urged communities to embrace the Katsina Tree-Plant-One-T initiative, disclosing that the state was targeting the planting of about two million trees within one year.
He said the initiative was designed to promote environmental sustainability and encourage communities to take responsibility for protecting the environment.
The governor also applauded the digitalisation of aspects of the CDP, saying the use of technology would strengthen transparency, coordination and accountability.
He added that young people involved in the programme would gain valuable leadership, administrative and technological experience that could prepare them for future roles in public service.
Movement built on gratitude
Earlier, the Director-General of the Dikko Mai da Alkhairi da Alkhairi movement, Associate Professor Kamaluddeen Kabir, said the philosophy behind the organisation was captured by the Hausa-Arabic maxim, “Hal jaza’ul ihsani illal ihsan”, meaning “Is there any reward for good other than good?”
Kabir said the movement was born out of the experience of communities that had benefited from the CDP and wanted to create a broader platform for grassroots engagement.
He said that within about two years, the CDP had facilitated several interventions across Katsina State, particularly in agriculture, fertiliser distribution, water projects and other community development initiatives.
He disclosed that the new movement would operate through state, zonal, ward and polling-unit structures, with the stated aim of strengthening grassroots communication and mobilisation for the APC.
The Deputy Director-General of the movement, Muntari Musa, said the organisation comprised Community Liaison Officers and community development leaders drawn from the 361 wards across the state.
“We are the community development team, and we are behind your administration from top to bottom,” he told the governor.
APC hails grassroots structure
Katsina State APC Chairman, Dr Bashir Gambo Saulawa, described the members as important grassroots links between the government and communities.
Saulawa urged members to communicate government programmes to residents and encourage citizens to assess the administration based on its stated promises and delivered projects.
He cited areas including teacher recruitment, school construction and renovation, educational opportunities, road projects, healthcare development, irrigation and the Katsina Youth Craft Village.
He said the movement would provide another grassroots structure through which government programmes could be communicated to communities.
Representatives from the state’s senatorial zones also pledged their continued participation in the movement.
Hamza Ibrahim Wurma of Kurfi and Mansir Bala of the Funtua Zone said they would support the movement’s grassroots activities, while Hajara Ibrahim, speaking for women from the Daura Zone, said women had taken note of development interventions in their communities.
Chairman of the Gwagware Foundation, Alhaji Yusuf Ali Musawa, also expressed support for the CDP and the new grassroots platform.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Nasir Yahaya Daura; members of the State Executive Council; community development leaders; CLOs; political stakeholders and representatives from the state’s 34 local government areas.
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