By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina TIMES
As part of activities marking his second year in office, Governor Dikko Umar Radda, Ph.D., has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to merit-based appointments, transparency, and public accountability.
The governor made the declaration while speaking at a public lecture organized by the Coalition of Academics for Katsina State Development, held at Hillside Royal Suites, Katsina.
Reflecting on his humble beginnings and rise to leadership, Governor Radda said:
“I always tell people, I inherited just ₦4,500 from my father. I wasn’t among the top contenders for this position, but by God’s grace, I am here today. The best way to repay this trust is to serve with fairness and accountability.”
The governor commended the Coalition for its independent review of his administration, describing their presentations as “objective, thorough, and beyond expectations.”
“If I had known how comprehensive your report would be, I wouldn’t have bothered writing my speech. This is not a government document; it is an independent assessment — and that gives it immense value,” he said.
Radda urged intellectuals and the general public to continue monitoring government actions and offering constructive feedback, emphasizing that his administration remains open to public scrutiny.
“Even tough criticism is welcome. I follow public commentary on social media to understand public perception. However, I draw the line at misinformation and false allegations,” he added.
Governor Radda used the opportunity to outline some of his administration’s key achievements over the past two years, including:
Recruitment of over 7,000 teachers on merit, free from political interference.
Overseas scholarships for students from underprivileged public-school backgrounds to study Artificial Intelligence and Medicine in Egypt and China.
Construction of modern schools, with 70% of admissions reserved for children from rural areas.
Transparent appointment processes for key government positions, emphasizing competence over political connections.
He stressed that genuine governance reform must be rooted in fairness and professionalism to restore public trust in political institutions.
“Politics has its role, but it should never undermine merit. Only by choosing capable hands can we rebuild confidence in government,” he noted.
The lecture brought together leading scholars, professors, and policy analysts who assessed the administration’s major projects and made policy recommendations for the future.
Governor Radda concluded by thanking the academics for their dedication to Katsina’s development and urged them to remain engaged as partners in progress.
“This is not about me or my administration. It’s about securing a better future for Katsina. Let us keep working together.”
