Katsina State Government has incorporated Dr. Dakuku Peterside’s books, Leading in a Storm and Beneath the Surface, into its public service leadership training to strengthen governance and improve service delivery.
Speaking at the Abuja presentation, Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, representing Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, said Peterside’s works provide practical guidance that aligns with Katsina’s ongoing reforms in security, infrastructure, education, health, and climate-smart agriculture. He noted that the state has been applying principles from the books, including data-driven decision-making, community partnerships, and steady, measurable progress.
To bring these lessons into practice, Katsina has procured 500 copies of Leading in a Storm for members of the Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, heads of MDAs, and frontline managers. The books will be used alongside guided reading circles, after-action reviews, and practical clinics linked to government priorities.
Jobe highlighted that the state’s crisis-leadership strategies such as scenario planning, early-warning networks, and coordinated operations with security agencies have enhanced citizen safety. He also cited improvements in rural road access, primary healthcare centres, teacher training, and agricultural input distribution as examples of tangible progress.
“At the core of our reforms is a simple principle: small, disciplined actions create meaningful change,” Jobe said, recalling a teacher who described a repaired classroom roof as “a small thing with a big effect.”
The Deputy Governor called on development partners, the private sector, and civil society to support the state’s capacity-building efforts through mentorship, field engagement, and problem-solving initiatives. He added that Peterside’s books provide guidance for both challenging and stable times, encouraging leaders to govern with courage, humility, and discipline for the benefit of the people.
