The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU), with the United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP), for the official launch of the Insecurity Prevention Facility in Northwest Nigeria.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Muhammed, says the historic event took place at the United Nations House, Central Business District, Abuja.
According to the statement, the MoU, which is worth 13 million dollars, is a collaboration between UNDP, Germany, and Norway.
Radda noted that the Northwest Prevention Facility is an initiative of UNDP Nigeria, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy of Norway, with the intent of supporting the states of Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina.
Specifically, the project seeks to utilise timely and collaborative state-led prevention efforts, strengthen the security response to the insecurity in the Northwest, and utilise a climate action, and sustainable livelihood approach, to conflict prevention in the Northwestern states, that have been battling with insecurity.
Governor Radda said the programme is an effective key, that will unlock the chances of addressing the security challenges that are currently bedeviling Katsina State.
According to him, his government needs support to rebuild the displaced people, bring them back to their original settlements, and ensure that they have peace. To achieve this, the approach to be deployed would include both kinetic and non-kinetic.
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He further expressed his satisfaction to UNDP and other development partners, for supporting the initiative, applauding the programme, and assured all other partners of his government’s readiness and preparedness to ensure the project records considerable success.
The Head of the Northwestern Office, Ashraf Usman, disclosed that UNDP was encouraged by the renewed vigour for regional cooperation and synergies, exhibited by the state governors, in their bid to promote peace and stability in their respective states.
He, therefore, congratulated Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina States on the official launch of the very important project, and looked forward to its very useful and impactful implementation across the states.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by the Ambassador of Germany, Annett Gunther; the Ambassador of Norway, Knut Elliv Lein; representatives of the National Security Adviser and the Governors of Zamfara and Sokoto, respectively, and other top government officials from Katsina State.
(EDITOR: TIENABESO BIBIYE)
