N20,000 empowerment: Sen. Bomai you can do better

The role of a senator extends beyond legislative duties; it encompasses the responsibility of addressing the pressing needs of their constituency. Recently, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, representing Yobe South, launched an empowerment programme aimed at alleviating challenges faced by jobless youths in the region.

However, a closer examination of this initiative reveals that while the gesture is commendable, its actual impact leaves much to be desired.

The programme provides N20,000 to each beneficiary as a form of empowerment. No one can deny the importance of creating opportunities for young people, especially in a state like Yobe, which has a gargantuan number of unemployed youths.

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However, the pertinent question arises: can N20,000 truly serve as a meaningful form of empowerment in today’s economic climate?

Other political figures across the country have implemented empowerment initiatives with a more substantial and lasting impact. For example, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, introduced a programme that distributed farm implements and fertilisers to rural farmers.

This initiative directly addresses the economic challenges of his constituents, offering them the tools they need to enhance productivity and secure their livelihoods.

Practical interventions such as those implemented in Oyo South highlight the power of targeted empowerment programs. Instead of providing temporary financial relief, sustainable initiatives equip beneficiaries with the resources and opportunities to build wealth and independence.

This approach resonates with the pressing need for long-term solutions to unemployment and poverty.

The N20,000 cash handout in Yobe South, though helpful in the short term, does not address systemic issues contributing to high unemployment.

Genuine empowerment should focus on providing skills, resources, and access to opportunities that enable young people to thrive in the modern economy. Offering vocational training, startup funds, or tools for agricultural and business ventures could create a ripple effect of progress across the region.

The agricultural sector in Yobe State holds immense potential for creating jobs and boosting the economy. Empowering youths with agricultural inputs, training, and access to modern farming techniques can transform lives while improving food security.

Senator Bomai needs to consider leveraging the state’s natural resources and economic strengths to design impactful initiatives.

Senator Bomai has the opportunity to chart a new course for Yobe South. A commitment to sustainable and impactful empowerment programmes would not only enhance the lives of young people but also solidify his legacy as a leader who truly prioritized the progress of his constituency. The people of Yobe South are ready for transformative change.

Kasim Isa Muhammad wrote from Potiskum, Yobe State