Chairmen of the Community Level Committees, Community Learning Officers, Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh. Today is indeed a historic moment, and it is my distinct honour and privilege to stand before you at this significant gathering—a gathering that symbolizes our unwavering dedication to the Katsina State Community Development Program. This initiative represents a vital part of our administration’s strategic vision, crafted carefully to transform the lives, livelihoods, and future opportunities of all our people, particularly those at the grassroots level. My vision is simple, to implement community driven development across my entire administration. Our community approach was used to set up the Katsina State Community Watch Corps popularly known as C-Watch which has significantly reduced the levels of banditry and insecurity in our state. Our community model has been studied and replicated in Zamfara and Sokoto states who are facing similar challenges. I decided to move to the non-kinetic phase of our community approach by establishing the Katsina State Community Development Program to add prosperity to peace for our people. Sustainable development will require both peace and prosperity and today you are all an integral part of the process.
Our model for community driven development is novel and sets a new standard in governance. Our goal is not to be better than other states but to be the best we can be for our people because they deserve it. et me emphasise clearly: the true strength and resilience of Katsina State lie within our communities. Therefore, each of you must understand the magnitude and importance of the responsibilities placed upon your shoulders. As Chairmen of the Community Level Committees, you serve not merely as local representatives but as critical links connecting the aspirations of our people to government policies and actions. You are entrusted with the solemn duty of ensuring that our development efforts are inclusive, sustainable, and impactful. Your leadership must be defined by integrity, guided by honesty, and reinforced by unwavering transparency. Your decisions, actions, and communication should always reflect the best interests of your communities. You must maintain consistent, genuine engagement with the people you represent, carefully listen to their voices, respond proactively to their concerns, and tirelessly work to ensure no one is left behind. This is the responsibility of all members of the Community Level Committees. The Chairmanship of the CLCs will be rotational annually, so I encourage you to make the best use of the opportunity and trust given to you to benefit your community.
The role of the Community Learning Officers is equally vital and profoundly impactful. I have called for your presence today because you have been entrusted with one of the most honourable responsibilities imaginable—the education and development of our children and youth. Our administration has embarked on ambitious educational reforms designed to improve standards and ensure equal access to quality education for every child across Katsina State. As frontline education advocates, you must meticulously uphold and monitor these reforms within your respective communities. You must be vigilant, proactive, and deeply committed to maintaining and raising educational standards. Regular monitoring of schools, timely reporting, and swiftly addressing challenges are central to your duties. Your integrity, dedication, and passion are pivotal to shaping our next generation’s brighter and more promising future.
The CLOs will be fully integrated with the activities of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, especially in quality assurance. You will be required to engage the schools in your communities and report on teacher attendance and performance. You must do this fearlessly and without favour as we try to combat teacher absenteeism and poor academic curriculum delivery. You will also track student enrolment and attendance in our communities and lead the drive to reduce the number of out-of-school children in your communities. You must report this periodically on the CDP Portal, which will form the basis for your evaluation. The CLOs must also report on the condition of the schools in their communities as we aim to provide conducive learning environments for our children. You must also proactively lead community efforts against vandalism and theft in our schools.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has also undertaken successful community-based projects. In 2015, the Emergency Community Development Project in Senegal saw the government commit $200 million dollars and partnered with UNDP to help drive the project. Within 3 years its critics were convinced of the effectiveness of the project and the second phase financed by the African Development Bank will run until 2025. The interesting part is that the Senegalese government is now running the program in-house with capacity developed from the UNDP partnership. The UNDPs Program for Accelerated Community Development in The Gambia has also seen remarkable success. A review by renowned consulting firm Deloitte showed the positive impact of community-driven development projects in key sectors including agriculture, water and sanitation, education, healthcare, and transportation. In 2022, the UNDP launched the Accelerated Community Development Program in Liberia following a detailed feasibility study. The 100-million-dollar program received a 6 million dollar donation from the World Bank. The impact of the program has already been reported.
All members of the CLC must understand that integrity, accountability, and transparency are the bedrock principles of this administration. They are not optional nor merely encouraged—they are mandatory standards by which every one of us must abide. Community empowerment must always be matched by accountability. Resources provided must be utilised efficiently, effectively, and transparently, with measurable outcomes that genuinely enhance the quality of life for our people. I strongly encourage you to build and nurture robust partnerships with the Program Delivery Office and its Coordinator. Their expertise, guidance, and support are instrumental in navigating challenges, streamlining processes, and optimising resources. Collaboration, cooperation, and clear, ongoing communication between your committees and the Program Delivery Office will be essential in achieving our shared vision and goals. The partnership between the PDO and the Community Centres has seen us deliver 3,610 power tillers to benefit over 18,000 farmers. We also delivered solar irrigation pumps to farmers to support dry-season farming in our communities. About 3,000 women have been empowered under CDP projects from the Ministry of Women Affairs. At least 3610 women and 361 large-scale farmers were empowered with 32,490 small ruminants in our bid to boost livestock development in the state. Over 36,100 farmers have been given fertilisers, and over 300 widows have been supported with small grants of 50,000 Naira. We are now supporting 7,220 widows during Ramadan to provide some much-needed relief. So far, about 90,000 people in 361 communities have been reached this year.
The importance of the CDP is not in what it does but in how it does it. The communities must continue to engage fully in selecting projects and beneficiaries fairly and transparently. Violating the principles of the CDP will lead to disciplinary action at the highest levels. I call on you all to make our process better and more effective for our people.
We have taken our model for community-driven development around Katsina in a series of townhall events where we engaged key stakeholders and members of various communities in interactive discussions about the program. I have presented the Community Development Program to all 34 local government chairmen and their key directors and sought their input in developing a sustainable model. I have also drafted the Katsina State Community Development Bill and passed it to the state assembly to ensure that we can enhance the sustainability of the program through legislative backing. It is important that the entire state architecture supports the community approach because we must all work together for it to succeed.
Ladies and gentlemen, today I make a personal and passionate appeal—not merely as the Governor of Katsina State, but as a proud son of this great land. I genuinely believe in your capacity, dedication, and spirit. The success of the Katsina State Community Development Program will ultimately depend upon your commitment, resilience, and hard work. Each of you has the power to transform your communities profoundly, bringing lasting and meaningful change.
Together, let us seize this opportunity with passion and determination. Let us work tirelessly to create a Katsina State characterised by educational excellence, prosperous communities, and fulfilled aspirations. With your support, diligence, and commitment, I do not doubt that, by Allah’s grace, we shall achieve remarkable success. Thank you all. May Allah bless and guide us, may He bless Katsina State, and may He continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.