Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, says the World Bank has expressed interest in adopting the state’s Community Development Programme (CDP) framework as a model for possible replication in other states across Nigeria.
Governor Radda disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the inauguration of the Dikko Mai da Alkhairi da Alkhairi Movement at the Local Government Service Commission in Katsina.
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He said the development followed a recent engagement with a World Bank delegation that expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness and grassroots impact of the CDP.
According to him, the interest demonstrated the value of the programme’s community-based approach to delivering government interventions and ensuring that development initiatives reach people at the grassroots.
The governor commended members of the CDP for their contributions to grassroots development and for establishing the movement, describing it as an expression of appreciation by people who had witnessed the impact of his administration’s programmes in their communities.
“Today, I do not want to say too much because what our administration has done within the last three years is already speaking for itself. The people who entrusted us with leadership and expected us to deliver have come to express their appreciation,” Radda said.
He recalled that when the Director-General of the Dikko Mai da Alkhairi da Alkhairi initially discussed the initiative with him, its political dimension was not fully disclosed because the organisers believed he might not agree to it, given that the CDP was established primarily around the administration’s development policies.
Radda said the CDP had helped bridge the gap between government and communities by taking interventions and development initiatives directly to people across the state.
He explained that the effectiveness of the programme had attracted the attention of development partners, particularly the World Bank delegation that recently visited Katsina.
The governor stressed that the CDP was established to serve all residents of the state irrespective of political affiliation, adding that government interventions should benefit communities across Katsina.
He also urged communities to take ownership of the administration’s Katsina Tree-Plant-One-T Initiative, saying the programme was aimed at addressing environmental challenges and securing a better future for the state.
Radda said the state was targeting the planting of about two million trees within one year and encouraged individuals and communities to participate in the initiative.
He further commended the CDP for digitalising aspects of its programmes and interventions, saying the use of technology would enhance transparency, coordination and accountability.
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The governor added that the digital structure would expose young participants to leadership, administrative and technological skills that could prepare them for future responsibilities in government and public service.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Dikko Mai da Alkhairi da Alkhairi Movement, Associate Professor Kamaluddeen Kabir, said the philosophy behind the initiative was anchored on the principle, “Hal jaza’ul ihsani illal ihsan”, meaning, “Is there any reward for good other than good?”
Kabir said the principle captured the essence of the movement, which emerged from the experience and impact of the CDP under the Radda administration.
He said that within about two years of its establishment, the CDP had taken various interventions to communities across Katsina State, including agricultural support, fertiliser distribution, water-related initiatives and other community development schemes.
He explained that the movement was established after consultations with communities and stakeholders who had witnessed the impact of the CDP and believed the experience should be translated into a broader grassroots platform.
Kabir said the movement would mobilise grassroots support for the APC through a leadership structure comprising state, zonal and ward-level executives, extending to polling units.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director-General of the movement, Muntari Musa, described it as a grassroots structure comprising Community Liaison Officers and community development leaders from the 361 wards of the state.
“We are the community development team, and we are behind your administration from top to bottom,” Muntari said, assuring the governor of the group’s continued support.
The APC Chairman in Katsina State, Hon. Dr Bashir Gambo Saulawa, described members of the movement as important ambassadors of the administration at the grassroots.
Saulawa urged them to communicate the administration’s programmes and achievements to residents and ensure that government interventions were properly understood at the community level.
He cited the recruitment of more than 10,000 teachers, construction and renovation of schools, educational opportunities for less-privileged students to study abroad, road projects, healthcare facility upgrades and the renovation of Danja Dam for irrigation development.
He also highlighted the Katsina Youth Craft Village, saying young people who had passed through the institution had acquired skills to enhance self-reliance.
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Representatives of the movement from different senatorial zones pledged their support for Governor Radda and the APC, while women representatives said they would continue to mobilise communities around the administration’s development programmes.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, members of the State Executive Council, community development leaders, CLOs, political stakeholders and representatives from the 34 local government areas of the state.