Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state has tasked politicians on the economic empowerment of youths to fight poverty and unemployment in the state. According to him, the engagement of the teeming youths could also create more job opportunities and self-reliance. He gave the task Sunday in Damaturu, when political stalwarts from Yobe south senatorial district paid him a visit led by the Deputy Governor, Idi Gubana.
“Political stalwarts, elites and appointees must invest in the youths through economic empowerment,” he declared; stating that they should also provide scholarships for the indigent qualified students into institutions of higher learning. He said the engagements of the teeming youths would lay a solid foundation for their future and prevent them from social vices. While lamenting on ethnic differences, he warned politicians against entertainment of primordial sentiments, including ethnic differences to develop the state. Speaking on the Federal Government presence, he said: “The state is having a fair share of federal appointments under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“We now have the President of the Senate, the Inspector General of Police, Minister of Power, two Justices of the Supreme Court, two Court of Appeal Justices and others from the state.” He said the federal government’s presence will help in the state’s recovery plan to reconnect communities destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents. According to him, with the Minister of Power from the state more and rural communities in the senatorial districts will be connected to the national grid. In his response, Gubana said that the Governor has provided a sense of belonging with appointments and siting of projects in south senatorial district. “This has promoted unity and peace among the various communities affected in the 12-year insurgency,” he said.
He also pledged support with loyalty and will never betray the Governor. The Minister of Power, Abubakar D. Aliyu, also commended Buni for his leadership style which serves as a rallying point for the people of south senatorial district. Aliyu assured that public office holders from the district will complement government efforts in providing employment opportunities to youth through economic empowerment programmes. He said that the existing account will be dedicated to economic empowerment of youths to complement government efforts.
