Group Raises Concern Over 74.1% Poverty Rate in Katsina

• Rallies policymakers on long-term solutions 

Francis Sardauna in Katsina 

Concerned Katsina elders under the auspices of Katsina Consultative Forum (KCF) have expressed concern over the 74.1 per cent poverty rate and perennial drug abuse in the state.

The forum said the pervasive poverty following the excruciating economic conditions in the country is contributing immensely to insecurity, illiteracy, drug and substance abuse in the state.

The Chairman of the Forum, Aminu Danmusa, raised the alarm while briefing journalists Wednesday on some revolving strategies adopted by the group to tackle poverty and drive sustainable development in the state.

While quoting a 2020 report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Danmusa said the northern region of the country bears the brunt of poverty “with Katsina State standing out as one of the most severely affected”.

He reiterated that the NBS reported a poverty headcount rate of 74.1 per cent for Katsina in the year under review, reflecting the dire situation in the state that needed collaborative effort to identify and implement long-term solutions to the problem.

“This pervasive poverty contributes immensely to other societal challenges, including insecurity, illiteracy and rising cases of drug and substance abuse,” he added.

Danmusa, however, said the KCF would hold a stakeholders’ dialogue aimed at identifying sustainable long-term remedies for poverty, drug abuse and other critical issues bedevilling the state.

He noted that the roundtable dialogue billed for December 29, 2024, has intellectuals, professionals and policymakers that will brainstorm extensively on the lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the state.

“At the conclusion of the dialogue, a comprehensive communiqué will be developed, specifying actionable recommendations for every stakeholder in line with their expertise and capacity to drive progress and betterment of Katsina State and its people,” he said.