September 15, 2025 – Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the release of 90,000 bags of grains purchased last year for emergency use. The governor said the grains will be delivered directly to the most vulnerable households across the state as part of efforts to tackle hunger and malnutrition.
Speaking at the Muhammadu Buhari Government House in Katsina while receiving the final report of the Special Committee on Malnutrition, Governor Radda explained that the food items will be distributed under the supervision of the same committee to ensure transparency and fairness.
“These grains will go directly to families that need them most. The committee will oversee the entire process to make sure there is accountability and no diversion,” he stated.
Governor Radda also announced plans to establish Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) centres in all 34 Local Government Areas of the state. These centres will provide specialized care for children suffering from malnutrition, offering lifesaving treatment closer to families and communities.
“To save the lives of our children, we will set up OTP centres in every local government area. This will bring timely and specialized care to our communities,” the governor said.
The committee, chaired by Dr. Ahmed Abdullahi Filin-Samji, Chairman of the Zakkat and Waqaf Commission, was inaugurated last month to investigate the causes and prevalence of malnutrition in Katsina State. Governor Radda commended the committee for what he described as a thorough and well-detailed report.
“I sincerely thank the committee for the hard work and sacrifices made in this task. Your findings have given us both a clear picture and a clear direction,” he said.
The governor directed the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, to work with stakeholders to calculate the cost and logistics needed to establish the OTP centres and to upgrade existing stabilization centres to meet required standards for infrastructure, equipment, and human resources.
Governor Radda further instructed Dr. Yahaya to collaborate with the Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency and the Katsina State Development Management Board to prepare a proposal for the establishment of a Turn Brown and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) production factory.
Issuing a strong warning, the governor condemned reports of diversion of RUTF, locally known as Dan Kwamaso, which is meant for malnourished children.
“We cannot afford to compromise when it comes to saving the lives of our children. Anyone caught diverting or tampering with these life-saving supplies will be dealt with decisively,” he warned.
The governor assured residents that his administration is fully committed to implementing the recommendations of the committee.
“Tackling malnutrition is not just about saving lives today, it is about safeguarding the future of Katsina’s children. By the grace of Allah, this government will continue to invest in solutions that guarantee health, education, and opportunities for our people,” Governor Radda pledged.
Earlier, while presenting the report, Dr. Filin-Samji revealed that the committee found alarming rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children across the state. He said the findings showed that nearly half of the households surveyed were living below the minimum expenditure basket, making them highly vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.
He also noted that the committee discovered diversion of RUTF supplies and weaknesses in the management of the food supply chain.
“Cases of food diversion were uncovered, and we also observed serious weaknesses in the supply chain that need to be addressed immediately,” Dr. Filin-Samji stated.
The committee recommended that the state government strengthen its food supply chain, punish those involved in diverting supplies meant for children, and focus on distributing grains to households most affected by hunger.
Dr. Filin-Samji further called for increased public awareness on exclusive breastfeeding, describing it as one of the fastest and most effective ways to fight child malnutrition.
Additionally, the committee advised the state to upgrade the Zakkat and Waqaf Board into a full-fledged Ministry of Zakkat, Waqaf, and Endowment to improve the management of welfare and humanitarian programs under Islamic principles of justice and compassion.