News in brief: The governor of Katsina state, Dikko Radda, has requested funding and support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to develop the agricultural sector and provide renewable energy resources in his state and other states in the Northwest region of Nigeria.
Dikko Radda, the governor of Katsina state, has said that his government reached out to the Nigeria Country Office of the African Development Bank (AfDB) to help fund its agricultural sector and provide renewable energy resources.
His also requested support for other states in the Northwest geo-political region of the country, which includes Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
In his statement, explaining the purpose of his visit, Radda said that the interventions will provide jobs and enhance people’s livelihoods in the state. He added that crops like cotton, rice, and wheat needed value addition to improve their revenue generation. The governor also mentioned agricultural extension services as another area where the AfDB funding could be impactful.
In response, Lamin Barrow, the director general of AfDB Nigeria Country Department, assured the governor of the bank’s support. He commended him for his ‘clear vision’ and prioritising regional approaches and interventions.
Dikko Radda had promised to make ‘well planned’ investments in the state’s agricultural sector during his inaugural speech. He also made a pledge to improve the sector’s value chains along essential commodities and make sure that every local government benefit from these activities. In addition, he said that his administration will set up an agency tasked with promoting youth engagement and employment through Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
His AfDB appeal seems like the first step in funding his promises and we will keep you updated on what funds Katsina state receives and how they are disbursed. Subscribe to our newsletter to not miss any of our updates.
