PRESS RELEASE 

His Excellency, the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, Ph.D, has approved the appointment of Dr. Mansir Aminu as General Manager, Katsina State Geographic Information Services (KATGIS) with immediate effect.

Born in Malumfashi (1978), Malumfashi Local Government Area, Dr. Aminu holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geoinformatics from Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Malaysia, 2014. He is also a Post Graduate Diploma holder in Land Development Strategies from the Institute of Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands (2009). He also holds a Master of Science (M.Sc); Planning-Information Technology (Geographic Information System and Urban & Regional Planning), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UIM), Johor, Malaysia. 2007. He is a 2004 graduate of Urban and Regional Planning from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria. 

Until his appointment, was the Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NIMET) Abuja. Hitherto, Dr. Mansir Aminu was a staff of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) from 2010 to date. While at NASRDA, he Heads the Urban Space Applications Unit whose responsibilities includes though not limited to initiating and implementing research on Urban Dynamics with Geographic Information System and representing the Agency at both local and international forum on urban and cadastral mapping issues; Geospatial events; Aeronautic and Space Engineering events, Urban and Regional Planning etc.

In the same development, His Excellency, Governor Radda has also approved the appointment of Malam Abbas Sambo, as the General Manager of Katsina State Urban and Regional Planning Board (URPB). Born in Funtua (1972), Funtua Local Government Area, Sambo Abbas is an astute urban and regional planner with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a postgraduate diploma in Management from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, which he garnered in 1992 - 1999 and 2005 - 2006 respectively. 

Until his appointment, Malam Abbas served in the FCT Ministry and the Federal Ministry of Works at different times as Principal Town Planning Officer, Kubwa District, site officer, Assistant Chief Town Planning Officer, Garki I & II, Asokoro and Guzape Districts as District Monitor, Chief Town Planning Officer, Wuse I, Wuse II, and Maitama Districts as District Monitor. He also served as Assistant Director, Vetting Room (Development Permit) South Division.

Malam Abbas also has to his credit numerous courses including In-house workshop on data collection, collation, presentation, analysis and interpretation in Katsina NAPEP office (2004), Improving waste management in coastal cities in Nigeria organized by ORGANIZE BY UNESCO-IHE - UN/DOALOS - UNEP/GPA (2009), Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) and Enhancing the Liability of Informal Settlements (2017). He also participated in the FCT Town Planners’ Week (NITP FCT Chapter), Making Abuja A Smart City.

While congratulating the two accomplished new appointees and wishing them enormous success, I congratulate His Excellency, Governor Radda, for insisting on his hallmark of putting a round reg in a round hole. 

Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor