As part of efforts to address the growing issue of thuggery in Katsina State, the government has launched an empowerment initiative, providing financial support to 1,016 youths, many of whom were previously involved in political thuggery.
The beneficiaries, drawn from 361 political wards across the state’s 34 local government areas, received a total of ₦252 million to help them become self-sufficient.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), falls under the “Katsina Building Your Future Youth Development Programme.”
Its primary goal is to take youths off the streets and discourage the culture of seeking financial support from government offices.
The launch event, held on Tuesday at the Katsina Local Government Service Commission, was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the police, the Hisbah Board, as well as traditional and religious leaders.
Governor Dikko Radda, speaking at the event, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, stating that the ₦252 million allocation aligns with his campaign promises to create sustainable opportunities for young people.
A’isha Malumfashi, Director-General of KASEDA, expressed optimism that the intervention would positively transform the lives of the beneficiaries.
Similarly, the Katsina State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Zakari Shargalle, and his counterpart in Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Danmusa, stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure the initiative’s success.
Danmusa highlighted Nigeria’s demographic statistics, noting that 52% of the population falls between the ages of 15 and 65, with 40% living below the poverty line. He emphasized that in northern Nigeria, the poverty rate stands at a staggering 77.7%, making youth empowerment a critical priority for the state government.
During the event, Governor Radda presented symbolic cheques to selected beneficiaries—three men and two women.
To ensure accountability, the government has put monitoring mechanisms in place, warning that any beneficiary caught returning to street begging or loitering around government offices will face strict consequences.
