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KASTINA, Nigeria - The Katsina government has provided financial support of N252 million to empower 1,016 political thugs in the state, enabling them to become productive and self-sufficient.
The beneficiaries were selected from the 361 political wards across the 34 LGAs of the state.
At the empowerment event held on Tuesday, Governor Dikko Radda stated that this initiative was aimed at removing the thugs from the streets and discouraging them from resorting to begging at ministries, departments, and agencies.
He emphasized that the N252 million allocated for the program fulfills his campaign promises.
During the event, the state's Internal Security and Home Affairs commissioner, Nasiru Danmusa, shared that Nigeria has a population of 237 million, with 41 percent of this population aged between one to five years and 52 percent between the ages of 15-65.
"This indicates that 93 percent of the population is between 1-65 years old. Additionally, 40 percent of the populace lives below the poverty line, with 77.7 percent in the North experiencing the same plight.
This is why the state government, led by Governor Dikko Radda, is launching various programs aimed at empowering youth," Danmusa explained.
The Katsina government has taken steps to address the concerning rise in thuggery within the state.
