The Federal Government has pledged to support Katsina state in its quest to transform into an industrial hub through innovation, technology and resilience.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made the pledge at the First Katsina State Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, awards dinner and Dikko Social Innovation Academy Graduation ceremony, held in Katsina.
He said that Katsina state has always been a land of transformation and a city where learning, trade, and craftsmanship once converged to shape the destiny of the Sahel.
“As Yusufu Bala Usman revealed in his Transformation of Katsina (1400–1883), this was no accident of geography but the result of deliberate organization of rulers who governed with foresight.
“And scholars who are enlightened with knowledge, and traders who linked Africa’s interior to the world.
“That same creative energy still animates our people today in our entrepreneurs, artisans, and MSMEs who carry forward a legacy of innovation and resilience.
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“Our challenge now is to renew that legacy through industrialization anchored on comparative advantage,” Shettima said.
He insisted that Katsina must transform again by processing what it already produces best, saying: “let the cotton of Musawa and Bukarawa feed new spinning and weaving mills.
“And the millet of Katsina and Mani power agro-processing industries and food innovation hubs.
“At the height of its productivity, this land accounted for 62 per cent of Nigeria’s cotton output and ranked third globally in millet production after India and China.
“Those are not statistics of nostalgia but blueprints for a future of value addition, job creation, and inclusive prosperity.
“The transformation Yusufu Bala Usman chronicled must now find its fulfilment in a new Katsina, one that turns heritage into industry and history into growth,” he said.
Earlier, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina, also reaffirmed the determination of his administration to transform the state into a thriving hub for entrepreneurship and inclusive development.
“We gather not only to celebrate achievements, but also to celebrate hope, resilience, and the spirit of innovation that defines the people of Katsina State.
“When we came into office, we were clear on our mission — to build an economy that empowers people through enterprise and innovation,” he assured.
The governor expressed appreciation to the vice-president for his support to the state, saying: “your presence here today is a powerful statement of your unwavering commitment to MSME development in Nigeria.
“Your decision to spend the night in Katsina for this occasion — despite your tight national schedule — means a lot to us and to every entrepreneur gathered here tonight.
“Your consistency, humility, and hands-on support for the MSME ecosystem across Nigeria have made you the true champion of enterprise development in this country,” the governor noted.
Also, the Director-General, Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency, KASEDA, A’isha Aminu, said the event was another landmark initiative of Gov. Radda’s administration through the agency.
“This maiden edition was conceptualized to recognize, reward, and celebrate the excellence and resilience of entrepreneurs who are driving innovation, creating jobs, and expanding the frontier of opportunities in our state.
“I am delighted to share that this maiden edition of the Katsina State MSME Awards received an overwhelming 2,200 applications from across the state,” she said.
NAN
