Opinion
OPINION:Dikko Radda Governs With Uncommon Empathy
In Nigerian politics, many people believe that empathy is often spoken about but rarely practiced with genuine sincerity. Gracias! I toured around the country, and I found an exception. A tall, brained, and charismatic Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, embodied the very essence of compassionate governance.
Austrian medical doctor and psychotherapist Alfred Adler once said, “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” These words are not just vague; they find their truest manifestation in how Governor Radda approaches leadership, and especially in how he’s rewriting the healthcare narratives in Katsina state.
Like most Katsinawa, I am always excited that we have a Governor who does not only listen to people’s yearnings but takes necessary action. Radda governs with strong empathy and humility; he has a deep personal engagement with the challenges facing Katsina’s residents.
I witnessed firsthand an extraordinary moment that epitomizes Radda’s uncommon empathy. During a routine convoy stop for prayers dime weeks back along Daura road, a woman in her 50s approached, seeking help for medical needs. While one of the Governor’s aides initially attempted to dismiss her with a small cash offer, the Governor observed the interaction intently.
Before the prayers, Radda personally called the woman, meticulously investigating her health concerns to know how genuine her case was to warrant seeking assistance from random passersby. Satisfied with the authenticity, the governor doesn’t only provide reasonable financial assistance but also assigned one of his aides to ensure the aged woman received proper attention.
If you ask me what this means? I tell you this wasn’t mere charity—it was systematic and compassionate intervention.
Often time, the Governor makes unannounced visits to health centres across Katsina State. It’s either he drives himself or be accompanied by one of his security aides. He personally checks on patients, listens to their medical challenges, settles outstanding medical bills, offers prayers and meticulously assesses the quality of attention given to the patients.
The visits, which many aren’t even aware, but the beneficiaries of this kind gesture can bear witness and that’s enough.
It is surprising to see the Governor’s commitment to healthcare transcending individual acts of kindness. Under Radda’s leadership, the state now boasts 1,751 primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions in Nigeria, with over 85% fully functional.
Let’s take a quick flashback to the Governor’s Building Your Future blueprint, where he had a target to establish comprehensive primary healthcare facilities in all 361 wards and general hospitals in each of the 34 local government areas.
This vision, to naysayers, may be unachievable or be counted as pure political talks. Truth be told, the Governor is not sweeping any of his promises beneath the carpet; he chooses his words carefully. He doesn’t promise what he cannot achieve. This you may need to study.
Under Radda, 102 health centres have been refurbished, 22 are ongoing, and 34 have been approved for renovation. Going forward, Governor Radda demonstrates his love for equity and evenness in the provision of health facilities. You read this piece: Comprehensive Health Centres at Zango, Kafur, Faskari, Charanchi, and Dandume have been upgraded to General Hospitals standard.
All hail Governor Radda for N9.4 billion investment for healthcare facility improvements across Katsina state, with an Imaging Centre at General Amadi Rimi General Hospital, Batagarawa, under construction. In case you’re hearing this for the first time, the centre will be equipped with cutting-edge machines, and it’ll become the best in northern Nigeria. Yes, give Governor Radda his flowers. He deserves it. The man is doing it differently. The man is governing with strong and uncommon empathy.
As you may also be aware that the Governor Radda diplomatic mission to World Medical Relief in Detroit, USA, has already begun yielding results? Out of the 10 containers of medical supplies and equipment secured in November, 2023, one has been delivered to Katsina. Two are enroute from Lagos and the rest are still on the high sea. Guess what? Each container is worth $1 Million. Is that not massive? It can only be achieved by a leader with strong and uncommon empathy.
Just before I draw this curtain, let me leave you with these words. Governor Radda doesn’t just govern—he connects, feels, and acts. While our political square is often characterized by detachment, Radda remains an epitome of leadership rooted in genuine human empathy. Katsina is blessed to have a leader like Dikko Umaru Radda who governs with uncommon empathy.
*Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed is the* *Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State*
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.