Your Excellency,
With due respect and sincere regards, I write to you as a concerned citizen of our dear Katsina State, to commend your continued efforts in addressing the challenges of governance and youth empowerment. It is evident that you are committed to reducing unemployment and creating opportunities for our teeming youths.
Recently, I came across reports that Your Excellency has directed the 34 local government chairmen across the state to recruit fifty youths each as media aides, with a monthly stipend of fifty thousand naira. No doubt, this initiative reflects your desire to curb idleness and engage our youths meaningfully.
However, I humbly wish to advise that while this step is laudable in intent, assigning large numbers of young people to media-related work may not bring substantial benefits to society, especially in rural local governments where little media activity exists to justify such a workforce. For instance, in LGAs like Dutsi, Sabuwa, Ɓaure, or Zango, one may ask: what significant media content would fifty youths produce every month?
On the other hand, if these same youths were deployed to more impactful roles — such as teaching in our overcrowded and understaffed primary schools or participating in other community development programmes — the benefits would be far-reaching.
It is worth noting that even now, casual teachers who bear the burden of educating our children earn as little as ten thousand naira monthly, far below the proposed allowance for the media aides. Redirecting resources towards education and similar critical sectors would not only empower the youths but also uplift the entire society.
Your Excellency, I make this appeal with utmost respect and with the collective progress of our state at heart. As our leader, you have the wisdom and foresight to turn this initiative into one that leaves a lasting positive impact on the lives of Katsina people.
I sincerely urge you and your advisers to reconsider the deployment of these youths in ways that will strengthen education, reduce unemployment, and promote sustainable development.
May Almighty Allah continue to guide you and grant you success in steering the affairs of our dear state.
Respectfully yours,
Nasiru Salisu Funtua
Concerned Citizen of Katsina State
