May 29: Leadership Comes With Tough Choices — Gov. Radda

As he marked the second anniversary of his administration, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on Thursday acknowledged the weight and complexity of leadership, describing it as a demanding role that requires resilience, sacrifice, and humility.

Speaking during a special prayer session organized by the state government in Katsina, Radda said leadership comes with intense scrutiny and criticism, but insisted that public service must be driven by integrity and a commitment to the people.

“Leadership is difficult. It requires dedication and commitment. I am now caged—sometimes I find it hard to live a normal life because of the responsibilities. When I leave the house in the morning, I don’t return until it’s time for bed,” Radda said.

He noted that while criticism is inevitable, encouragement from the majority of citizens has been a major source of motivation.

“There are more people commending our efforts than those criticizing. A leader is human and bound to make mistakes, but the important thing is that our good deeds outweigh any missteps,” he said.

Radda reiterated that government funds belong to the people, emphasizing that public officials are only caretakers, accountable to those they serve.

“Anywhere we go, we are warmly received. That gives us courage to stay on the right path. In such situations, if a leader betrays the people’s trust, God will certainly hold them accountable,” he added.

He stressed that leadership should not be seen as a trophy to flaunt, but a trust to protect and uphold.

“This event is not a celebration of power, but an opportunity to thank Allah for the trust placed in us by the people,” he said.

Radda urged religious leaders to continue advising the government based on what they hear from the grassroots. He also called for their support in tackling insecurity at the community level, particularly in identifying informants and drug traffickers.

The event was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, Islamic clerics, and other stakeholders. It served as both a reflection on achievements and a reaffirmation of the administration’s commitment to good governance.

Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, revealed that about 75% of the administration’s goals had already been achieved, attributing the progress to disciplined and focused governance.

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman-Nasir, disclosed that over 140 experts contributed to shaping the state’s development blueprint. He added that the next phase of the administration would shift focus from capital projects to empowering citizens directly through people-centered initiatives.