Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has pledged sustained support for students, graduates and young innovators through expanded educational opportunities, entrepreneurship programmes, practical skills development and stronger partnerships with academics.
The Governor made the pledge on Tuesday at the grand finale and presentation of prizes of the maiden Katsina State Students’ Week, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, with students from 55 higher institutions participating in academic competitions, sporting activities, cultural displays and innovation showcases.
Governor Radda commended the participants for their discipline, maturity and exemplary conduct, describing the event as an important platform for promoting unity, intellectual exchange and networking among students of Katsina State origin studying across the country.
“This gathering has taught us a lot. Students from the same local government may attend different institutions without knowing one another. Bringing them together allows them to build relationships and recognise their shared responsibility for the development of Katsina State,” he said.
The Governor stressed that education must extend beyond academic qualifications to include good character, discipline, practical skills, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He noted that preparing young people for a changing world required equipping them with the knowledge, values and competencies needed to succeed in their chosen fields.
Governor Radda called on professors, lecturers, researchers and other professionals of Katsina State origin to establish a common platform that would serve as a think tank for the government.
He explained that the proposed platform would provide research-based recommendations and practical solutions to challenges in agriculture, education, healthcare and other critical sectors.
“As a government, we need stronger partnerships between academics and administrators. We want our professors, lecturers and researchers to work with us, provide direction and develop solutions that will benefit our people. Government is prepared to support a sustainable platform for this collaboration,” he said.
On youth empowerment, Governor Radda disclosed that more than 360 graduates were undergoing practical agricultural and agribusiness training at Songhai Farms, as part of efforts to promote self-reliance and create employment opportunities.
He said the government planned to expand the programme to approximately 1,000 trainees in a subsequent phase, covering fisheries, poultry production, juice processing, biogas and other viable agricultural enterprises.
“I visited the trainees and was impressed by what I saw. We are investing in their future because we want graduates who can establish businesses, create employment and contribute to economic growth rather than depend solely on paid employment,” he noted.
The Governor also highlighted plans to support graduate entrepreneurs through the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), alongside existing interventions in scholarships, bursaries and specialised studies abroad.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, stressing that financial limitations should not prevent talented young people from achieving their potential.
“Our responsibility is to reduce inequality and ensure that more people have a fair opportunity to succeed. We want to create opportunities for those who cannot afford certain things so that everyone can develop their abilities and contribute to society,” he said.
Governor Radda appreciated the management of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, the organising committee, lecturers and participating institutions for their contributions to the success of the Students’ Week.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Matters, Hon. Muhammad Nuhu Nagaske, commended Governor Radda for his consistent support for students and young innovators.
He particularly acknowledged the Governor’s approval of ₦500,000 in support of student innovators participating through the Kano Centre.
Nagaske said the Students’ Week had provided an opportunity for students to learn, network, showcase their talents and interact directly with the state’s leadership.
He assured the Governor of the student community’s continued cooperation with government initiatives aimed at advancing education, innovation and youth development.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee and Special Adviser on Local Government Inspectorate Department, Hon. Lawal Rufa’i Safana, described the Students’ Week as a growing platform for intellectual engagement, leadership development and collaboration among students and graduates.
He urged the government to institutionalise the programme as an annual event and establish a similar platform for academics and professionals to contribute research-based ideas to the state’s development.
Safana commended Governor Radda for providing the necessary support and resources for the successful organisation of the programme.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Development Management Board, Dr. Mustapha Shehu, commended the Governor for creating opportunities for students to excel in international competitions and educational exchange programmes.
He cited the achievements of two Katsina students who placed sixth among participants from 34 countries in a climate technology competition in Russia, after securing third position globally in Tunisia and emerging first nationally.
Dr. Shehu also highlighted Maimunatu’s participation in an educational exchange programme in the United States, where she taught Hausa language, as well as the outstanding performance of Katsina pupils in an international competition in Singapore.
He further praised the Governor for employing six first-class graduates in the Ministry of Budget, noting that their contributions to budget preparation and public service demonstrated the value of involving young professionals in governance.
Dr. Shehu appreciated the government’s support for the Students’ Week and acknowledged the Federal College of Education and other institutions for providing accommodation and transportation.
He stressed that sustained collaboration among government, educational institutions and other stakeholders would strengthen student development and prepare young people for leadership.
In his programme overview, Dr. Ruwan Godiya said the Students’ Week brought together students from 55 institutions and featured quizzes, debates, academic competitions, sporting activities, cultural performances and innovation showcases.
He appreciated the scholars, judges, participating institutions and supporting agencies, including KASEDA, for their contributions to the programme.
Godiya emphasised the need to provide promising students and innovators with continued mentorship, business development assistance and financial support beyond the event.
On his part, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Yal Ladan, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, appreciated Governor Radda for supporting education and providing a platform for students from different institutions to interact and demonstrate their abilities.
He commended the organisers for the successful programme and encouraged stakeholders to explore opportunities to expand the initiative into a broader national event that would promote unity, knowledge exchange and youth development.
Also speaking, the Director-General of KASEDA, Dr. Babangida Kabir Ruma, highlighted the Graduate Entrepreneurship Award initiative, explaining that it was designed to provide eligible graduates with interest-free financial support of ₦500,000 to establish businesses.
He said additional support could be considered based on business viability and growth prospects.
Ruma also announced support for innovators participating through the Kano and Zaria centres, commending Governor Radda for promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and the development of young people as job creators.
Those in attendance included the Chief of Staff, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; representatives of the university management; heads of tertiary institutions; members of the State Executive Council; government officials; academics; members of the Central Organising Committee; student union leaders; participating students and other stakeholders in education and youth development.
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