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Governor Dikko Radda has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to child welfare, quality education and inclusive governance, declaring that every policy of the Katsina State Government is designed with the future of children in mind.
The governor made the declaration in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, to commemorate the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration themed, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child.”
According to Radda, children remain the “most sacred trust” of society, stressing that his administration is focused on ensuring that every child in Katsina, regardless of background or ability, has equal access to opportunities for a brighter future.
“Today belongs to our children. They are not merely the leaders of tomorrow, they are the heartbeat of today. Every policy we make, every naira we invest, and every structure we build is ultimately for them,” the governor stated.
Highlighting efforts to promote children’s participation in governance, Radda pointed to the appointment of Faruq Umar Lema, a young boy from Batagarawa Local Government Area, as Special Assistant on Children’s Affairs.
The governor also disclosed that the state established three multi-million naira Model and Smart Secondary Schools in Radda, Jikamshi and Dumurkul to provide advanced learning opportunities for gifted children from poor and rural communities.
He said the schools are equipped with 24-hour electricity, internet access, robotics and artificial intelligence laboratories, alongside fully digital learning facilities aimed at bridging educational inequality.
According to the statement, about 996 students are expected to commence studies in the schools after what the governor described as a transparent admission process praised by European Union diplomats and international education observers.
Radda further revealed that the state government, in collaboration with the Gwagware Foundation, launched a Back to School Programme to tackle the growing challenge of out-of-school children.
“No child in Katsina should be roaming the streets when there is a classroom waiting for them. We are not just talking about inclusion, we are funding it, staffing it, and tracking it,” he added.
The governor also referenced the recent launch of the Katsina State Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, aimed at protecting students and teachers from insecurity, bullying and gender-based violence.
He added that the government had paid WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS examination fees for secondary school students across the state to ease the burden on families.
In addition, Radda disclosed that 2,000 students had received vocational training in bag production and other entrepreneurial skills to boost self-reliance among young people.
The governor called on parents, teachers, community leaders and civil society organisations to support efforts aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive society for children.
His remarks come amid rising concerns over the number of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria and increasing calls for stronger investment in education, child protection and youth development.
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