Dikko Umar Radda

Dikko Umar Radda (born 10 September 1969) is a Nigerian economist and politician. He was elected governor of Katsina State in the 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections.^[1][2] He served as the director-general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).^[3]

Dikko Umar Radda
Governor of Katsina State
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 May 2023
Deputy	Faruk Lawal Jobe
Preceded by	Aminu Bello Masari
Chairman of Charanchi Local Government Area
In office 2003–2008
Personal details
Born	(1969-09-10) 10 September 1969 (age 55) Dutsin-Ma, North-Central State (now in Katsina State), Nigeria
Political party	All Progressives Congress
Residence(s)	Katsina, Nigeria
Education	Radda Primary School Zaria Teachers College
Alma mater	Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Ahmadu Bello University
Occupation	Politician economist
Website	dikkoradda.com

Early life and education

He was born on 10 September 1969 in Hayin Gada Town, a Fulani from Dutsin-Ma Local government area of Katsina state, Nigeria.

Radda started his basic education at Radda Primary School from 1974 to 1980. He attended Zaria Teachers College between 1980 and 1985.^[4] He also attended Kafanchan College of Education in 1986–1990, where he obtained his NCE certificate. Later, he attended Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi in 1992–1996, where he completed his B-Tech. Agricultural Economic and Extension (Hons) studies, then got admission into Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1998–2004 where he earned an MSC Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology 2004.^[5] He returned to ABU Zaria in 2005 to obtain a master's degree in international Affairs & Diplomacy. He earned his Ph.D. in Agriculture & Rural Sociology in 2015.

Political career

The period between 2013 and 2015 gave birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Radda held posts in the party hierarchy, which saw him emerge as the APC National Welfare Secretary, a position he held for one year, from 2014 to 2015. After the 2015 general elections, he was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Rt Hon Aminu Bello Masari.^[6][7][8]

Philanthropy

Radda established the Gwagware Foundation in 2016. It helps people from rural communities improve their living conditions through the provision of basic social amenities. He supports them with foodstuff, medical care, water supply, and employment opportunities.^[9]

For Dan Musa and Safana Local Government Areas, which are the second most affected areas in the state, in terms of bandits' attacks, the foundation distributed 70 bags of these items to each of the areas. For the other six most affected local government areas, the foundation distributed 40 bags of the same items to each of them.^[10]

Gwagware Foundation extended the same humanitarian gesture to Malumfashi Local Government Prison Service. During fasting, members of the foundation took time one day and break their fasts with 150 inmates. Six inmates with minor cases were also freed by the foundation.^[11]

On 17 January 2022, five hundred youths from Katsina State were successfully trained in computer skills and tailoring by the Gwagware Foundation. The participants, including both youths and women, were drawn from Daura, Funtua, and Katsina zones. Upon completing the training, they received start-up packs to enhance their entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to contribute to the growth and development of the state.

On 31 January 2022, Gwagware Foundation donated 5,000 books on different subjects to Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Batagarawa local government area of Katsina state. The foundation attaches a lot of importance to the development of education in Katsina State.^[12]

Accolades

Radda received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) in 2019.^[13]

The Revenue Magazine Public Sector Excellence Award in 2022.^[13]

References

1. Ogalah, Dunamis (29 May 2023). "Dikko takes oath of office as Katsina Governor". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
2. Ibrahim, Ogalah (29 May 2023). "Dikko sworn in as Katsina Governor". Vanguard. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
3. Orimisan, Bankole (3 October 2016). "SMEDAN NICON Sign MOU On Insurance Cover". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
4. "Buhari Ya Sabunta Naɗin Umaru-Radda a Matsayin Shugaban SMEDAN". 19 March 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
5. "DG's Office – SMEDAN". Retrieved 22 September 2024.
6. "2023: SMEDAN DG declares for governorship". Daily Trust. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
7. "Dikko Radda Ya Sami Tikitin Gwamna A Jam'iyyar APC, Sanata Yakubu Lado Ya Sami Na PDP A Jihar Katsina". VOA (in Hausa). 27 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
8. "AS Dr. Dikko Umar Radda Emerged the APC Gubernatorial Flag Bearer". Katsina City News. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
9. "more jobs, wealth opportunities for Nigerians underway-radda". triumphnews.org. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
10. "Foundation donates N4m relief material to IDPs in Katsina". This Day. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2019.^{[permanent dead link]}
11. "Eid: SMEDAN DG donates 700 cows to less privileged in Katsina". daybreak.ng. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
12. Sabo, Hamidu (31 January 2022). "Foundation donates 5,000 books to Katsina schools". Blueprint. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
13. Onehi, Victoria (31 January 2022). "SMEDAN Boss Honoured for progress in msmes sector". Daily Trust. Retrieved 11 December 2019.