Governor Radda launches €5m EU peace project for Katsina

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has launched a €5.1 million European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response, and Resilience project to strengthen peace and stability in the state. The 18-month project, which covers eight local government areas in Katsina and two in Zamfara, builds on a previous initiative that benefited over 95,000 people.

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Speaking at the launch, Governor Radda described the project as a new era of hope, partnership, and collective action designed to empower communities, particularly women, youth, and vulnerable groups. The governor said the project would help communities transition from trauma to recovery, fear to safety, and despair to hope.

Governor Radda also inaugurated the Katsina State CPCRR Project Steering Committee to coordinate, monitor, and ensure transparency in all project activities. The project focuses on three core areas: peace building and conflict mitigation, livelihood support and economic recovery, and governance and institutional strengthening.

Speaking during the event, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Grantier Migrot, reiterated the Union’s commitment to Katsina State. “This project builds on our previous successes in poverty alleviation, education, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability,” Mr Migrot stated. The Ambassador emphasised the EU’s focus on dialogue, education, and empowerment, particularly for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

The project targets internally displaced persons, host communities, and other vulnerable groups through vocational training, climate-smart agriculture, and improved market access. New activities include establishing community peace structures, strengthening early warning systems, conducting media campaigns for peace, and implementing 20 quick-impact projects.

Mustapha Shehu, Executive Secretary of Development and Partners in Katsina State, said the project would ensure at least 60 percent of beneficiaries are youth. The project involves partnerships with the International Organization for Migration, Centre for Democracy and Development, and Mercy Corps as implementing partners.

The State commissioners for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Rural and Social Development, Women’s Affairs, and Local Chieftaincy Affairs delivered goodwill messages. The launch attracted members of the State Executive Council, local government chairmen, district heads, traditional and religious leaders, and development partners.