Gov Radda Unveils Empowerment Programme for 14,450 Women, Widows in Katsina
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has launched a wide-ranging empowerment programme aimed at supporting women, widows, and other vulnerable groups involved in small-scale businesses and traditional economic activities across the state.
The initiative, which was officially flagged off on Tuesday, is set to benefit 14,450 women drawn from the state’s 34 local government areas. Beneficiaries include widows, mothers, artisans, traders, farmers, tailors, food processors, and other women engaged in informal and micro-economic ventures.
Speaking at the disbursement ceremony held at the People’s Square in Katsina, Governor Radda described women as the driving force behind the state’s economy. He noted that women have long sustained local markets and preserved cultural traditions, often with limited access to economic support.
The governor emphasized that empowering women has far-reaching social and economic benefits, pointing out that income earned by women is largely reinvested in their families and communities. According to him, women channel a significant portion of their earnings into household nutrition, children’s education, and overall community wellbeing.
“Empowering women is not just a policy choice; it is a peace-building strategy,” Radda said. “Today, we are not only supporting businesses, we are investing in hope, stability, and the future of Katsina State.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, A’isha Malumfashi, said the empowerment scheme reflects the state government’s commitment to inclusive governance and sustainable development. She explained that the programme aligns with the governor’s Building Your Future strategic agenda, which focuses on poverty reduction, livelihood enhancement, and economic independence for women.
Malumfashi stressed that the initiative goes beyond financial assistance, describing it as a means of restoring dignity, boosting confidence, and unlocking the untapped potential of women across the state. She urged beneficiaries to use the support responsibly to grow their businesses, support their families, and become agents of positive change in their communities.
“When a woman is empowered, an entire family and community are empowered, leading to collective growth and prosperity,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the Katsina State First Lady, Zulaihat Radda, described women as the backbone of families, communities, and the local economy. She encouraged beneficiaries to leverage the opportunity to build a more secure and prosperous future for their households.
Mrs Radda also announced that 10,000 women in the state will soon receive sanitary pads under the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu. She expressed appreciation for the governor’s commitment to women’s inclusion and empowerment as a core part of his administration’s vision.
The empowerment programme is expected to strengthen women-led enterprises, reduce poverty, and enhance social stability across Katsina State.
