Katsina Gov. Radda Commissions 152 Houses, Disburses N500m Grants To Jibia IDPs

Katsina Gov. Radda Commissions 152 Houses, Disburses N500m Grants To Jibia IDPs

By Joe Goddy, Katsina

Katsina State governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Thursday commissioned 152 housing units for internally displaced persons (IDPs), Climate Peace Hubs, and a Solar Mini Grid project in Jibia Local Government Area, while also announcing the disbursement of ₦500 million in grants to support local businesses and livelihoods.

The housing project, executed through a partnership between the Katsina State government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the German Government through GIZ, and the Norwegian Government, was officially inaugurated during a ceremony attended by government officials, development partners, and security stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, Governor Radda described the project as a symbol of hope and the result of collective commitment to rebuilding communities affected by insecurity.

“What was then a vision is today a living reality. Recall vividly, we gathered in October 2024 to flag off these projects. That is what hope, partnership, and resolute action can build together,” the governor said.

He explained that the state government contributed land, perimeter fencing, a worship centre, school facilities, drainage systems, access roads, and furniture to complement the international partners’ support.

Beyond the housing project, Governor Radda announced that the state had provided ₦500 million in grants through the Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency to 500 residents of Jibia to revive businesses and restore livelihoods.

The governor also highlighted what he described as significant security improvements in the border community, noting that Jibia had not recorded any deliberate attack or kidnapping incident in the last one year.

“Farmers have returned to their fields. Markets are reopening. Children are back in school. Prices of staple foods are easing. Across the state, productivity has risen and hope is rising where fear once reigned,” he said.

He urged residents to sustain the prevailing peace, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility.

“Peace is not the work of government alone. It is built in every household, every market, every mosque and church, every classroom,” Radda stated.

The governor also extended an appeal to armed groups operating in the region to embrace peace.

“There is a better way. The doors of dialogue, repentance and reintegration remain open. Lay down your arms. Come back to your families. Come back to your communities,” he urged.

In her remarks, the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, Elsie G. Attafuah, commended the Katsina State Government for demonstrating strong leadership and ownership of the project through its financial contributions.

“Today’s investments are not the end of the story. They are the foundation for what comes next. They are helping to create the conditions for recovery, resilience and long-term development,” she said.

Attafuah stressed that development and peace are inseparable, noting that investments in housing, livelihoods and opportunities serve as pillars for long-term stability.

Also speaking, Annette Günther praised the Katsina State Government for providing substantial counterpart funding that contributed to the successful completion of the projects.

She reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with UNDP and the state government in expanding programmes focused on stabilization, recovery, resilience, and conflict prevention across Katsina State and the wider North-West region.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Rural and Social Development, Abdulhameed Ahmed Mani, provided details of the project, noting that construction began in October 2024 and was completed around the middle of 2025.

According to him, each of the 152 houses comprises two bedrooms, a toilet, bathroom and a spacious courtyard designed to accommodate small-scale farming and livestock rearing.

“The estate includes four major water collection points, access roads, street lighting and worship centres. Infrastructure supports daily life. It supports dignity,” he said.

Mani explained that beneficiaries were selected through a transparent process involving traditional rulers, community elders, civil society groups, youth representatives and government officials from all 11 wards of the local government area.

He added that complementary interventions accompanied the housing scheme, including livelihood support for 2,000 beneficiaries, upgrades to the Jibia cattle market, construction of a veterinary clinic, training for border security personnel on cross-border trade relations, and counselling support training for local government staff assisting victims of banditry.

The commissioner disclosed that a management committee had been established to oversee maintenance of the estate and promote peaceful coexistence among residents.

Representing the National Security Adviser, the Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abimbola Wonosiko, described the project as evidence of the impact of partnerships in promoting peace, security and sustainable development.

He emphasized that sustainable peace requires not only security operations but also investments that strengthen livelihoods, social cohesion, resilience and economic opportunities for vulnerable populations.

The chairman of Jibia Local Government, Sirajo Ado Jibia, expressed appreciation to Governor Radda and development partners for selecting the area as a beneficiary of the housing and development initiatives.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal, Speaker Nasir Yahaya Daura, Chief of Staff Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, senior government officials, development partners from within and outside Nigeria, and representatives of security agencies.