Katsina State Flags Off Distribution of Grains to Vulnerable Households
From Mu’awiyya Bala Idris Katsina
The Katsina State Government has commenced the distribution of 90,000 bags of 100kg assorted grains to vulnerable households across the state’s 34 Local Government Areas as part of Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda’s continued efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship and strengthen food security.
Governor Radda officially flagged off the exercise on Wednesday in Kaita Local Government Area, describing the intervention as a timely response to the immediate needs of citizens. The distribution, which covers all 361 wards in the state, will be monitored by the Katsina State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to ensure transparency and accountability.
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The Governor said the initiative forms part of his administration’s broader social protection programme aimed at supporting vulnerable households. He recalled that the government had previously provided food items and financial assistance to women engaged in Koko and Kosai businesses across the 361 wards during the Ramadan period.
Governor Radda also highlighted earlier interventions that benefited 7,220 widows, with 20 widows selected from each ward to receive 25kg bags of rice and ₦10,000 cash support. He further noted that the state had previously distributed another 90,000 bags of grains, comprising millet, maize and guinea corn, to vulnerable residents.
According to the Governor, lessons learned from previous distribution exercises have strengthened the government’s grassroots delivery system, particularly through the Community Level Committees (CLCs).
“Our objective is not simply to distribute more, but to distribute better by improving targeting, strengthening accountability and ensuring that government support reaches those for whom it is intended,” Governor Radda stated.
While acknowledging the importance of food palliatives during periods of economic difficulty, Governor Radda emphasized that such interventions alone cannot permanently solve food insecurity. He said his administration is implementing a dual strategy that combines immediate relief with long-term investments in agriculture, irrigation, community development, youth empowerment and women’s economic participation.
The Governor disclosed that the state has continued to support farmers through subsidised fertilisers, improved agricultural inputs, solar and petrol-powered irrigation pumps, tube wells and other farming support initiatives to boost food production.
He explained that both the grain distribution programme and agricultural investments are designed to provide immediate assistance to vulnerable families while enhancing communities’ productive capacity for sustainable self-reliance.
Governor Radda directed all officials involved in the exercise to uphold fairness, transparency, accountability and inclusiveness, warning that personal interests, social status or relationships must not prevent deserving beneficiaries from receiving government support.
He also called on Local Government Councils, traditional and religious leaders, Community Level Committees and other stakeholders to ensure the exercise is peaceful, orderly and successful.
The Governor commended the Ministry of Special Duties, the Ministry of Rural and Social Development, the Community Development Programme (CDP), Community Level Committees, Local Government Chairmen, traditional and religious institutions, security agencies, civil servants and community leaders for their contributions to the successful implementation of the programme.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving citizens’ welfare, Governor Radda assured residents that the government would continue investing in agriculture, education, healthcare, water supply, community infrastructure, youth development and women’s empowerment to create sustainable opportunities.
“Our vision is a productive Katsina State where farmers prosper, young people find opportunities, women participate meaningfully in the economy, and vulnerable citizens receive the support they need,” he said.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the Community Development Programme (CDP), Dr. Kamaludeen Kabir, described the distribution as another demonstration of Governor Radda’s commitment to taking government interventions directly to the grassroots.
He said the CDP structures across the state’s 361 wards would ensure that the grains reach genuinely deserving beneficiaries, including vulnerable households, widows, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and low-income families.
Dr. Kamaludeen warned against diversion, hoarding or sale of the grains, stressing that the exercise would be closely monitored and fully documented to ensure transparency.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Zainab Musa Musawa, said the intervention would provide free maize, millet, sorghum and rice to beneficiaries across all 34 Local Government Areas.
She noted that the initiative would help ease the impact of rising food prices, strengthen food security and reaffirm the Radda administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of Katsina residents.
The Chairman of Kaita Local Government Area, Hon. Bello Lawal, described the programme as timely and beneficial, noting that the Radda administration has continued to implement impactful projects in agriculture, education, healthcare, social welfare and other sectors.
In his remarks, the District Head of Kaita, Sarkin Sullubawan Katsina, Alhaji Yazeed Abdulkarim Kabir Usman, commended the state government for extending the intervention to vulnerable residents and urged all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, transparent and hitch-free distribution process.
