Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the establishment of five new secondary schools for the Batsari and Wagini districts. The approval is aimed at expanding educational opportunities and addressing the growing population of school-age children in the underserved rural areas.
The Governor announced on Friday during a statewide engagement tour to Batsari, where he paid homage to the District Head of Wagini and interacted with community stakeholders.
Governor Radda explained that the decision followed a genuine and timely appeal from the Gado da Masun Katsina and District Head of Wagini, Alhaji Dikko Muazu, who lamented that the lack of secondary school facilities forces children to travel long and unsafe distances for education.
“The request made by the District Head is genuine and timely. We cannot allow the educational gap between urban and rural communities to continue widening,” the Governor stated.
He assured traditional rulers that mobilisation funds would be released soon to contractors to enable the immediate commencement of construction of the new schools.
Beyond education, Governor Radda performed two key ground-breaking ceremonies to boost infrastructure and economic activities in the area:
Road Project Launch: The Governor flagged off the construction of a 2.3-kilometre road stretching from Unguwar Yamma through the LEA area to Yare Mai Lera and Tudun Alhaji. The project, awarded by the Batsari Local Government Council, is expected to ease movement, stimulate local commerce, and link communities that have suffered from inadequate road access.
Cassava Gari Processing Centre: Governor Radda also laid the foundation stone for the Dr Dikko Radda Cassava Gari Processing Centre in Batsari. The facility is an initiative of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA).
Recalling that Batsari is one of the state’s largest cassava-producing communities, the Governor directed KASEDA to establish the modern processing facility. He noted that the centre will help farmers to dry, process, and package both white and yellow gari. The facility is expected to boost farmers’ income, reduce post-harvest losses, contribute to food security, and create jobs within the agricultural value chain.
The Sarkin Ruman Katsina and District Head of Wagini, Alhaji Dikko Muazu, appealed to the Governor for greater government support for families returning home after years of displacement caused by insecurity.
He stressed the urgent need to rebuild schools, health centres, and public infrastructure to accelerate recovery and restore normalcy in affected communities.
Addressing residents at the Batsari Local Government Secretariat, Governor Radda reiterated his resolve to deliver on development commitments, affirming: “Education remains one of the greatest tools for transforming communities. Work on the five newly approved schools will begin without delay.”
