Katsina has continued to get pleasure from international curiosity in its cultural heritage as 17 diplomats spent all the sallah pageant interval within the state. The delegation was led by the Ambassador to Belgium, H. E Amb. Pieter Leenknegt. Amb. Mohammed Fouad of Egypt, Amb. Bengt Van Loosdrecht of the Netherlands, Amb. Felix Costales Artieda of Spain, Amb. Michal Cygan of Poland, Amb. Patrick Felix Egloff of Switzerland, and Amb. Martin Podstavek of Slovakia have been all acquired by Dr. Dikko Radda. Others embody Amb. Nicolas Perazzo Naon of Argentina, Amb. Pascaline Gerengbo Yakivu of Congo, and Mr. Lacopo Foti of Italy (chargè d’Affaires). Final 12 months’s Eid el-fitr and Sallah durbar festivities in Katsina attracted 25 European Union Ambassadors who witnessed first hand the wealthy cultural heritage of the state and its hospitality. The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, H E Gautier Mignot, whereas talking eventually 12 months’s durbar pageant in Daura, Katsina, stated they have been joyful to step out of the Abuja diplomatic bubble to witness Katsina’s magnificent traditions rooted in centuries of historical past. He added, “You’ve opened our eyes to your tradition, the colourful durbar procession, the artistry of your apparel and the flavors of your delicacies. We’ve been moved by your music, the dances and the heat of your folks. Your hospitality is unparalleled and we’ve been impressed and are wanting to champion Katsina’s heritage and discover new avenues of cooperation”.
At this 12 months’s occasion, the governor described the presence of the diplomats as a testomony to the rising international curiosity in Katsina’s cultural surroundings. He additionally highlighted the truth that the 2 successive sallah occasions will proceed to strengthen diplomatic relations, and promote Katsina as a vacation spot for cultural tourism and worldwide partnerships. This 12 months’s sallah pageant at Kofar Soro, Katsina attracted over 50 district heads from Katsina’s Emirates. It was a mix of custom and modernity, showcasing the vibrancy, pageantry and cultural delight of the emirates. The ambassadors have been additionally taken to the 2005 12 months previous Kusugu Wells at Daura which gave the EU envoys a glimpse of the traditional historical past of Daura. On the following day’s Hawan Bariki, the 2nd durbar pageant, the governor spoke glowingly concerning the significance of the occasions, as he remarked that the pageant just isn’t solely a day of celebration, however a second of reflection of the unity, historical past, values and identification. He additionally stated it was a time for reflection of the belief bestowed on his management and the way he has labored assiduously to make an influence within the lives of his folks. He emphasised that his govt has deployed each kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackling the insecurity scourge within the state with the 2026 finances constructed totally on neighborhood wants evaluation with every of the 361 communities receiving N10 million to deal with urgent wants. The completion of the dualisation of main roads in Funtua, Daura and Katsina, and the growth of rural street networks primarily to attach farmers have been additionally highlighted by Gov. Dikko Radda. Others sectors like Agriculture have additionally been improved with the yearly distribution of 40,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer at sponsored charges, together with 400 tractors distributed throughout the 34 native govt areas of the state. Within the training sector, 7,000 academics have been recruited and skilled to this point, with about 85 secondary colleges accomplished. He additionally acknowledged that 3 fashionable mannequin colleges have been created. Within the well being sector, the governor commissioned a state-of-the-art dialysis centre, with one other state-of-the-art imaging facility quickly to be commissioned. About 250 main healthcare centres have additionally been upgraded. Gov. Dikko Radda, whereas reeling out the achievements of his administration disclosed that N45 billion has been cleared in pension liabilities whereas digital methods have been launched to enhance the effectivity and transparency of governance. The Emir of Katsina, Alh. Dr. Abdulmumin Kabir Usman recommended Dr. Dikko Radda’s efforts within the restoration of peace in Katsina’s troubled communities.
It was not all pageant as excessive degree engagements with Gov. Radda and European Union Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives continues to draw worldwide collaboration and funding because the ambassadors made commitments throughout bilateral initiatives in training, agriculture, small and medium scale companies, and expertise and innovation. This was additionally adopted by a technical session that underlined the gaps therein in addition to the alternatives that abound. The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall was a part of the engagements. The current Katsina {Economic} Summit recorded N489 billion as international and native funding figures with Agro Allied Industries making big investments within the growth of Poultry farms (10 hectares farm by TORQ), and a Soybeans processing and oil refining plant on the new Agricultural Mechanisation Zone. Others investments embody the Protected Area Power undertaking which is to rework clear transportation and strengthen the inexperienced financial system. placing Katsina forward of different states as one of many rising hubs for renewable and different power in Northern Nigeria. Katsina’s new local weather has made it one of many quickest rising funding locations in Nigeria and its hospitality, cultural heritage and dedication to offering good governance to the grassroots is making substantial influence in reversing the sordid image of despair.