Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, has reiterated that poverty and unemployment remain the root causes of insurgency and rising criminality in Nigeria.
Radda made this known on Wednesday when he received a high-level delegation from the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at the Government House, Katsina.
The delegation was in the state to present to the governor the “Sustainable Rehabilitation and Reintegration Project for Improved Livelihood and National Security”, which is a joint initiative targeting conflict-affected communities.
The project, which has had a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) since May this year, aims to promote economic empowerment using climate-smart integrated agriculture.
Radda said tackling poverty and unemployment would go a long way in addressing insurgency and related security challenges currently bedevilling many parts of the country.
“Insurgency thrives where economic hardship exists. If we must win the insecurity war, we must combine kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, and that begins with tackling poverty,” the governor said.
While commending the partnership, the governor pledged the full support of the state government. He directed the Ministry for Internal Security and Home Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Agricultural Development Unit to lead the state’s collaboration efforts.
Mr. Denis Ozioko, who led the delegation from the NCTC, stated that the visit was to formally present the project to the governor, as he had been absent during the MoU signing.
Ozioko also stated that many other northern states have since expressed interest in the project, which is expected to transform lives and enhance community resilience.
On his part, Mr. Prakash Kantsilwal of IITA highlighted the project’s core vision of restoring hope through sustainable farming, trade, and peaceful living for every family in the state.
