Where are Katsina youths?

The problem between Shema and the so called youths started when the former stopped the payment of monthly allowance to selected youths that were regarded as the ruling party (PDP) supporters. It was discovered that in the year 2006, certain group of individuals who claimed to be loyal to the then Governor Umaru Musa Yar’adua […]

The problem between Shema and the so called youths started when the former stopped the payment of monthly allowance to selected youths that were regarded as the ruling party (PDP) supporters. It was discovered that in the year 2006, certain group of individuals who claimed to be loyal to the then Governor Umaru Musa Yar’adua introduced the idea to him. According to the group, the payment of the said amount on monthly basis will help keep the youth in check, while also ensuring their loyalty to the party. Since no register was kept for the monthly payment, the proponent of the idea benefited immensely from the amount.

However, Governor Shema on assumption of office felt the only way to keep the youths off the street is to engage them in productive venture. He therefore initiated empowerment programmes aimed at uplifting their welfare.  The stoppage of this monthly payment however created a friction between Governor Shema and Katsina youths and a clique that was benefiting from the gesture.  The crisis however rages on for some months. To aggravate the tension, some media organizations pitch tents with the youths without verifying the reasons for government, decision on the matter.

Almost three years into the tenure of Governor Shema’s administration, the song has changed. The youths have jettisoned their combative and insulting disposition and one is wont to ask where are their sponsors? Yes, where are they and the media organisations that joined in the choruses? Of course the youths are still in Katsin, but their songs have changed. The faces of thousand of them that have benefited from the state government youths empowerment scheme are beaming with hope and assurance of brighter future.

The establishments of 28 paint and chalk cottage industries across all the local governments in the state among others, and the training of hundreds of youths on paint and chalk making have changed the trend of events. The governor, it was learnt, discovered through the department of mineral resources development that he established, that there is large deposit of kaolin, a major raw material for the production of chalk and paint in the state. Hence, the need for the establishment of chalk and paint cottage industries in all the local governments in the state.

At the inception of the project, 25 youth were selected in each local government for training on paint and chalk making. After the completion of   their training, the youths were asked to stay in their respective local council area and commence production, with the state government providing the required capital. To further encourage and boost efforts in this direction, Governor Shema gave a directive that all the contractors handling government project in the state must patronize the made in Katsina paints being produced by Katsina youths. Also all the 34 local governments in the state including the state ministry of education were directed by the governor to patronize only made in Katsina chalk produced by the youths.

This scheme has not only generated income for thousand of youths but it also turned several of them to employers of labour. For instance, it was discovered that the youths managing the chalk and paint cottage industry in Katsina Local Government alone recorded sales worth of N30 million within the six months of their operation.

 However, the success of the chalk and paint cottage industry is just a tip of the iceberg when compared to the outcome of the Youths Craft Village initiative along Mani road Katsina. The Youth Village which commenced operation in 2009, is now providing training in a 18 selected handcraft trades for the teeming youths of the state. The state government is also supporting the youths undergoing training at the village with free accommodation and feeding and also with assurance of financial assistance to enable them establish their own businesses upon completion of training.

Similarly, micro-credit scheme was also introduced by Shema-led administration with the disbursement of N100 million loan facility to the youths that engage in petty trading. The said amount was disbursed through the state ministry of commerce and industry, while another N100 million loan was disbursed to the youth through the department for small and medium scale enterprise. The state government in addition sponsored 50 Katsina State indigenes in Naval College on high technical welding. Some of these youths upon completion of their training have secured job outside Nigeria, while others are presently working with automobile and aircraft companies around the world.

Another youths empowerment programme established by Governor Shema is the purchase of mobile solar barbing Kits for over 500 youths. Already, the state government has abolished all forms of fees including WAEC and NECO fees in the state public schools. And unlike what obtained in other states in Nigeria where free education are being practiced, Katsina State Governor ensured that both the state indigenes and non-indigenes in public school benefited from the scheme. And to further demonstrate his commitment to the safety of the life of the pupil in the state, Governor Shema’s administration has constructed bus-stops around Katsina metropolis in addition to provision of buses to convey them to school so as to protect them from hazard of motorcycle accidents. He also directed all the local government council chairmen in the state to provide similar services in their respective areas.

So far, Katsina State government has transformed the lives of youths in the state. This development according to observers of the trend of events in the state, has contributed greatly to the enduring peace the state has enjoyed so far.

The sponsors of the Katsina youths are still much around in the state but their impact and influence on the youths has eroded.  Shema hardly settled down when opposition started emerging from his own political party.  Most especially from the camp of those who believed there was no wisdom in the choice of Shema as governor. The group believed that Shema as a governor will further solidify Yar’adua’s political stronghold in the state with Shema as political godson being a determinant factor.

Malumfashi, a members of the Peoples Democratic Party wrote in from Katsina