I had recently published a short write up on empowerment. The message was meant to attract the attention of Yobe state government to focus more on empowerment than gifting few young people with cars.
In the paragraphs, I requested the sum of 100,000,000 naira from government for serious youth empowerment. And I promised to send 500k each to 200 indigenes of Yobe state, via Facebook within 24hrs, at random.
Sympathetically, after some few hours, I had received a lot of calls and messages via my inbox, about what I posted. Based on the responses, my findings revealed that young people in Yobe are desperately in need of help and majority are jobless.
So, I was surprised by some people reaction and of course confidence to dropped their account details for the said capital disbursement, if the government agreed.
By Allah, I pitied one of my friend. He graduated from university of Maiduguri, the same year I graduated, 2019. Though, he is currently running a small scale business and want to marry very soon. He insisted that I should make sure that his share is safe, because he is in critical condition.
At times, I used to crack jokes to call the authorities concern to order, while, sometimes, I used to shake the table (jijjiga) not because I’m fool, but to smartly and critically reach the concern authorities so as to respond quickly to our demand, we the voters.
Therefore, I want to remind the general public that, Yobe state proposed and approved the sum of 164 billions as 2022 fiscal year budget:“Budget of Continuity Empowerment and Accelerated Development”. Thus, putting more energy on youth empowerment is priority this year, since the said agenda on education is not fulfilled.
However, the government is not doing anything tangible to empower the youth in Yobe, it is not substantial. The gift of cars to young people cannot generate any Kobo to Yobe state economy but leakages.
Lastly, there is need for young people to “Stand Up and be Involved” in areas of decision and, change the mindsets. The need for serious young minded intellectuals to be in power in necessary. Looking at some few groups of people controlling the whole empire is a big mistake.
The time is now!
Khalid Yusuf Tebo
