Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has unveiled a N50 million educational support grant for students from five local government areas of the state.
The initiative, sponsored by the Haruna Maiwada Community Foundation, will provide N50,000 each to beneficiaries from Safana, Batsari, Danmusa, Musawa and Matazu local government areas.
Mr Radda announced the initiative on Friday while commending the foundation’s founder, Dr Haruna Maiwada, for his commitment to community development and support for education.
The governor said the intervention demonstrated how individuals could contribute to societal development irrespective of whether they occupied elective political positions.
“He has demonstrated courage and commitment by continuing to support his people, whether or not he occupies an elective political office. What matters is the willingness to serve and make a positive difference in people’s lives,” he said.
Mr Radda also praised Maiwada’s personal qualities, describing him as a young man whose wisdom, humility and maturity distinguished him among his contemporaries.
“He is someone I deeply respect. Despite his youthful age, he possesses the wisdom, humility and maturity of an elder. He is one of the young people in Katsina State whom I hold in high regard,” the governor said.
He described education as a critical investment in the future, urging wealthy individuals, philanthropists and other stakeholders to complement government efforts by supporting students and expanding access to educational opportunities.
According to him, sustainable development requires collective responsibility, with education playing a fundamental role in producing a skilled, productive and responsible generation.
Earlier, Mr Maiwada said the foundation introduced the intervention to ease the financial difficulties confronting students and encourage them to remain committed to their academic pursuits.
He explained that the N50,000 grants were intended to provide financial relief to beneficiaries and their families, particularly amid the challenges associated with pursuing education.
“We believe that supporting education is one of the most effective ways of investing in the future. Through this intervention, we want to ease some of the financial burdens on students and encourage them to remain focused on their studies,” he said.
Mr Maiwada assured that the foundation would sustain its educational and community development programmes, adding that it remained committed to improving the welfare of people in the benefiting communities.
He also pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The foundation’s founder expressed confidence that he could mobilise more than 10,000 votes for the party.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Katsina Local Government Area, Isah Miqdad, commended Maiwada for his philanthropic activities, particularly his contributions to education and community development.
He said the intervention would provide relief to students and their families while encouraging other individuals to support initiatives capable of improving the welfare of residents.
Mr Miqdad also praised Maiwada’s contributions to strengthening the APC in the state.
Those at the event included the representative of the APC candidate for the House of Representatives, Abba Mangal; the APC Vice Chairman, Bala Abu Musawa; and the Chairman of Gwagware Foundation, Yusuf Ali Musawa.
Community leaders and other dignitaries also attended the event.
