Debit cards and payments for 26,676 poor and vulnerable households

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful. May the peace and blessings of Allah SWT be upon his noble Prophet Muhammad SAW and his family in general.

It is with immense joy and a profound sense of purpose that I stand before you today to officially flag off the distribution of debit cards and payments to 26,676 Persons with Vulnerable Households (PVHH) across our great State.

This momentous occasion marks another significant milestone in our administration’s unwavering commitment to social protection, poverty alleviation, and inclusive development. It is a tangible demonstration of our belief that no citizen should be left behind, and that every family, regardless of their circumstances, deserves dignity, support, and hope.

To the beneficiaries who are here today – welcome! You are not just recipients of aid; you are partners in our journey towards a more equitable and prosperous Katsina. This cash transfer is not charity; it is an investment in your resilience, your children’s future, and the economic vitality of your communities. Use this support wisely to put food on your tables, to send your children to school, to start small businesses, and to build a better life for yourselves.

I extend my deepest gratitude to the Katsina State Social Investment Programme Agency (KASIPA) and the State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU) for their tireless efforts in identifying, verifying, and preparing these beneficiaries. Your diligence and professionalism have ensured that this programme reaches those who need it most, with transparency and accountability.

I also commend the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) and the National Cash Transfer Program for their invaluable partnership and technical support. Their collaboration has been instrumental in strengthening our state’s capacity to deliver social safety nets effectively.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to empower our people and reduce vulnerability. We recognize that poverty extends beyond insufficient income, it encompasses a lack of opportunity, security, and voice. To address this holistically, our social protection programme is deliberately designed to be targeted, reaching the most vulnerable households through rigorous verification; timely, ensuring consistent and reliable payments; transparent, using digital platforms to track disbursements and prevent leakage; and empowering, encouraging beneficiaries to invest funds in productive activities that foster long-term resilience and well-being.

We are also committed to expanding the scope of this programme. In the coming months, we will work to increase the number of beneficiaries and explore ways to integrate them into our broader economic development initiatives, such as skills acquisition, microfinance, and agricultural support.

To our traditional rulers and community leaders: thank you for your invaluable role in mobilizing communities and ensuring that no one is overlooked. Your guidance and support are crucial to the success of this and all our programmes.

Let me assure you, this is not the end, but the beginning. We will continue to innovate, expand, and improve our social protection systems until every citizen of Katsina State can live with dignity and security.

In closing, I urge all beneficiaries to take full advantage of this opportunity. Let this support be the foundation upon which you build a brighter future. And let us all remember that true progress is measured not by the size of our projects, but by the impact they have on the lives of our people.

I wish you best of luck and safe journey back to your respective destinations.

May Allah bless you all, Amin.