While scrolling through social media, I stumbled upon a rejoinder to my article published in Daily Trust on January 2, 2025, titled “N20,000 Empowerment: Senator Bomai, You Can Do Better.” The rejoinder, written by Abubakar MB Tamana from Potiskum, appeared on January 3, 2025, and sought to counter my assertions. Tamana argued, rather boldly and shamelessly, that the N20,000 distributed to constituents was not part of Senator Bomai’s empowerment program. Such a claim is misleading and lacks credibility, especially when viewed in light of Senator Bomai’s media team’s own statements. The team explicitly described the distribution as part of the senator’s efforts to empower 1,800 youths across APC branches in Yobe South, labeling it a commendable initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment and supporting economic growth.
This statement from Senator Bomai’s media team is unequivocal, leaving no doubt that the N20,000 was indeed presented as part of his empowerment scheme. Yet, one cannot help but question the sincerity and effectiveness of such a gesture. Is a one-time distribution of N20,000 to jobless youths, most of whom are educated and have graduated from higher institutions, a genuine attempt at empowerment? This paltry sum barely scratches the surface of the socioeconomic challenges faced by the people of Yobe South. It is not enough to claim to be empowering the youth; the efforts must be meaningful and impactful enough to make a tangible impact on their lives. Unfortunately, Senator Bomai’s tokenistic approach falls woefully short of the mark.
The people of Yobe South are not ignorant of the opportunities available to their representatives through the Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs). These projects allow senators to allocate significant funds—often exceeding N600 million annually—for impactful programs such as skill acquisition training, provision of motorcycles, or other community-focused initiatives. Under President Tinubu’s administration, these allocations were even increased by 50%, further expanding the scope for developmental interventions. The glaring issue here is whether Senator Bomai has chosen to ignore these opportunities or simply lacks the vision and commitment to execute programs that would genuinely uplift his constituents. Since assuming office in 2019, Senator Bomai has yet to introduce a single substantial initiative that addresses the pressing needs of the people of Yobe South.
To put it bluntly, other senators have demonstrated what meaningful empowerment looks like. For instance, on January 3, Daily Trust reported that Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, the 9th President of the Senate, distributed N250,000 each to 400 small-scale business owners in Yobe North, totaling N100 million. This initiative was designed to revitalize the local economy and provide a sustainable foundation for small businesses to thrive. Similarly, just last week, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin sponsored 70 students from Kano for postgraduate studies in India. This program not only supports education but also ensures that the beneficiaries acquire advanced skills that can contribute to national development. These are examples of impactful and far-reaching empowerment programs that go beyond mere handouts and focus on building capacity, creating opportunities, and fostering long-term growth.
Senator Bomai’s approach, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. The distribution of N20,000 to jobless graduates and other struggling individuals is not empowerment; it is, at best, a temporary relief and, at worst, an insult to their intelligence and dignity. The youth of Yobe South deserve better than this tokenism. They need programs that address their specific challenges—be it through skill acquisition, job creation, entrepreneurship support, or educational sponsorships. There is an urgent need for the senator to prioritize the welfare of his constituents and leverage the resources at his disposal to implement impactful initiatives.
It is high time Senator Bomai opened his ears to the cries of his people and took decisive action to address their needs. The unemployment crisis among graduates, the lack of support for small-scale businesses, and the absence of sustainable economic opportunities in Yobe South demand immediate and meaningful intervention. The era of token gestures and empty rhetoric must come to an end. If Senator Bomai truly wishes to be remembered as a leader who cared for his people, he must rise to the occasion and deliver the kind of empowerment that makes a lasting difference in the lives of his constituents. Anything less would be a disservice to the people he claims to represent.
Kasim Isa Muhammad, an investigative journalist, wrote from Potiskum, Yobe State.
