Monday, January 19, 2026 - Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has launched the Strengthening Peace Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme, a United Kingdom-supported initiative aimed at promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention, climate resilience and inclusive development across the State.
Governor Radda, while speaking at the official launch in
Katsina last week Friday, described the programme as a major milestone in
efforts to consolidate peace and stability in the state and Nigeria at large.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with organizations
such as Tetra Tech International Development, the Centre for Democracy and
Development (CDD), the Centre for Peace and Monetary Endowment, and Nextier
SPD, alongside traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations
and the media.
The governor stated that the SPRiNG Programme reflects the
strong strategic partnership between the United Kingdom Government and
Government of Nigeria, “built around shared priorities of good governance,
peace and security, climate action and inclusive development”.
He noted that Nigeria’s stability remains critical not only
for the country itself but for the wider West African sub-region and the
African continent.
“Katsina State has faced complex security and environmental
challenges, including armed banditry, farmer–herder conflicts, desertification,
erratic rainfall and increasing pressure on natural resources. These challenges
have contributed to displacement, loss of livelihoods and social tension in
many communities.
“Despite these difficulties, the state has demonstrated
resilience through a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic interventions. These
include community-led peace dialogues, the establishment of the Community Watch
Corps as a first-line response to rural insecurity, and the strengthening of
intelligence gathering and conflict resolution through the Ministry of Internal
Security and Home Affairs”, he said.
He highlighted his Administration’s commitment to inclusive
governance, pointing to the appointment of women to key leadership positions
and the adoption of State Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security and Youth,
Peace and Security, in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
“Katsina State was recently ranked among the top performers nationally in
sub-national climate governance”, he added.
Graham Gass, Senior Social Development Adviser, Governance
and Stability at the British High Commission in Abuja, reaffirmed the UK’s
commitment to supporting Katsina State through the SPRiNG Programme. He noted
that the programme is designed to strengthen conflict prevention and
resolution, promote peaceful coexistence and support climate-resilient
livelihoods.
“The UK values its strategic partnership with Nigeria.
Through SPRiNG, we aim to help communities reduce violence, improve ecological
stewardship and build resilience against climate change,” he said, adding that
the programme will also provide technical assistance for climate-sensitive
peacebuilding and support the operationalisation of state action plans.
Also speaking, Ukoha Ukiwo, the Team Leader of the SPRiNG
programme, highlighted the impacts of SPRiNG to among others, a more stable and
peaceful Nigeria in which citizens benefit from reduced violence and increased
resilience to the pressures of climate change.
Ukiwo noted that the outcome would be that Nigerian
stakeholders are more willing and able to engage with non-violent approaches to
positively respond to challenges of conflict, security, Justice and natural
resource management
“Nigerians increasingly trust and patronise institutions and
actors responsible for conflict management and natural resource management
because they demonstrate Improved capability, Inclusivity, transparency and
accountability in service delivery.
“Enhanced capacity, improved public confidence and increased
patronage of peace, security and justice institutions and actors in grievance
management conflict resolution and violence prevention, including sexual and
gender-based violence (SGBV)”, he explained.
The SPRiNG programme adopts an integrated approach combining
dialogue, peacebuilding, climate resilience and livelihood support as Katsina
State works towards a more peaceful, resilient and inclusive future for its
people.
0 Comments