In a major stride toward advancing agricultural education and rural development, the Katsina State Government has secured 100 hectares of land and disbursed over N274 million in compensation to local landowners for the establishment of the Federal College of Agriculture in Gidan Na-Banje, Kafur Local Government Area.
The commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr Faisal Umar Kaita, announced the development recently during a formal cheque presentation ceremony.
N274,353,217.39 was paid to 241 landowners affected by the land acquisition, in line with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s policy of full compensation before any government project.
Dr Kaita attributed the success of the initiative to the efforts of Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, a native of the area and Political Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said Alhaji Masari was pivotal in lobbying the Federal Government to site the college in Gidan Na-Banje as part of his commitment to local and state development.
“When completed,” Dr Kaita noted, “this college will serve as a centre of excellence in agricultural innovation, training, and research, aligning perfectly with Governor Radda’s agricultural transformation agenda.”
The Dangaladiman Katsina and district head of Kafur, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdullahi Rabe, applauded the state government’s commitment to due process and the welfare of its citizens.
“This act shows true leadership and concern for our people. It will help the affected farmers rebuild and reposition themselves economically,” he remarked.
The event drew attendance from top government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, local government executives, and community leaders, highlighting the project’s importance to the region.
This initiative is part of the Radda administration’s mission to promote economic empowerment and self-reliance in Katsina through strategic investments in agriculture and human capital development.