In a bid to address the issue of political thuggery and youth unemployment, the Katsina State Government has launched an empowerment initiative, benefiting 1,016 young people across the state.
The beneficiaries, drawn from all 361 political wards within the state’s 34 local government areas, received a total of ₦252 million under the Katsina Building Your Future Youth Development Programme.
The initiative, led by the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), aims to equip these youths with financial support to become self-reliant and reduce dependency on government handouts.
The program was officially launched on Tuesday at the Katsina Local Government Service Commission, with key stakeholders in attendance, including representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the police, the Hisbah Board, and religious and traditional leaders.
Governor Dikko Radda, speaking at the event, reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment, emphasizing that the ₦252 million initiative aligns with his administration’s goal of creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Director-General of KASEDA, A’isha Malumfashi, expressed confidence that the intervention would have a lasting positive impact on the beneficiaries.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Zakari Shargalle, and the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Danmusa, stressed the importance of collective efforts to ensure the program’s success.
Danmusa highlighted the pressing need for such initiatives, citing demographic data that shows 52% of Nigeria’s population falls between the ages of 15 and 65, with 40% living in poverty. In northern Nigeria, the poverty rate is even higher at 77.7%, making youth empowerment a top priority for the state government.
To symbolize the launch, Governor Radda presented cheques to selected beneficiaries—three men and two women.
The government has also introduced monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability, warning that any beneficiary found engaging in street begging or loitering around government offices will face strict penalties.