Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment, announcing an additional N500 million to support women entrepreneurs across the State.
He made the declaration at the “Where Influence Meets Investment” Summit organised by the Katsina Inner Wheel Development Initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Governor Radda described the summit as a critical platform for advancing inclusive economic development, leadership, and skills acquisition for women. “I deliberately chose to come and remain until the end of this programme because any initiative that focuses on the development of women deserves my full attention and support. Developing women is, quite simply, developing society.
“Let me assure you today that I stand firmly with you, and my administration will continue to support initiatives that empower women across Katsina State.
“Influence without investment is inspiration without impact. Investment without influence is capital without conscience. But when influence and investment converge, economies grow, societies become more equitable, and nations rise,” Governor Radda stated.
Emphasising the importance of women in nation-building, the Governor warned against exclusion. “Any society that marginalises its women limits its own potential. Any economy that excludes women undermines its productivity, and any leadership that fails to empower women weakens its foundation for peace, innovation, and sustainable growth,” he said.
He also outlined achievements of his administration in women empowerment, revealing that over 14,000 women were empowered last week, 1,000 adolescent girls benefited from support programmes two weeks earlier, and more than 36,000 women were reached through various initiatives last year, adding that the state has invested over N4 billion in the Nigerian Women Project.
Earlier, Amina Zayyana, the Founder of KIWDI in her address said the summit was designed to position women as investors, innovators, and problem-solvers. “When women’s businesses grow, families stabilise, communities thrive, and the state prospers,” she said, adding that the initiative focuses on training, digital inclusion, and market access.
Other speakers at the event included the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Aisha Malunfashi, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to structured empowerment programmes, and former Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman Baba, who described women’s empowerment as “a governance necessity.”
The summit attracted top government officials, business leaders, women entrepreneurs, and development partners from across the country.
