Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting, educating and empowering the girl child, disclosing that more than 7,000 girls have benefited from skills acquisition and empowerment programmes.
Radda gave the assurance while marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, stressing that girls remain central to his administration’s Building Your Future Agenda.
According to the governor, investing in girls’ education, skills and welfare is critical to securing a brighter future for Katsina State.
He disclosed that 4,555 girls benefited from empowerment initiatives between 2023 and 2026, while 1,000 were trained in 2025 and another 1,500 in 2026.
To tackle school dropout and encourage girls to return to the classroom, Radda said the state government distributed 1,000 back-to-school kits in 2026 to out-of-school girls and those at risk of dropping out.
He added that 1,393 children were reached through the UNICEF-supported REACH programme and a back-to-school campaign.
The governor further revealed that safe spaces and mentorship programmes had been established in four local government areas, reaching 6,120 children, including 200 girls, with guidance, protection and psychosocial support.
Radda also said his administration supported 100 persons with disabilities with mobility aids in 2026 as part of efforts to promote inclusion and ensure that vulnerable residents were not left behind.
He reiterated his commitment to expanding opportunities for girls through education, vocational training and protection initiatives, noting that the state would sustain programmes aimed at helping them realise their potential.
The governor maintained that empowering the girl child remained essential to building a more inclusive and prosperous Katsina State.
