By Laiatu Augustine Bamaiyi kebbi.
Senator Adamu Aliero’s recent distribution of iPhone 13 Pro Max devices to youth in the state has sparked outrage, with many citizens describing it as a tone deaf and wasteful gesture.
At a time when rural youths across Kebbi State are crying out for meaningful empowerment, jobs, and basic amenities, the Senator’s choice to spend millions on luxury phones is nothing short of misplaced priority.
Speaking to Awwak kalgo said,The hard truth is simple an iPhone cannot feed a family, it cannot irrigate a farm, and it cannot pay school fees rather you will be buying data and recharge card to keep the phone on. he said.
What it does is saddle young people with more expenses on data and recharge cards they can barely afford. Meanwhile, the same amount of money used for one iPhone could help a youth start a poultry farm, invest in petty trading, or learn a skill that guarantees steady income.
Also Kabir Abu said, Rural communities in kalgo, Birnin kebbi,Jega, Bagudo amongst others , Kebbi central in kebbi State do not need gadgets; they need livelihood support.
They need roads to take farm produce to markets, irrigation for year round farming, access to healthcare, functional schools, clean water, and above all, opportunities for self-reliance.
Leaders must rise above cosmetic publicity stunts and focus on the real issues.
Youths in Kebbi want tools for survival and growth, not gadgets for show.
Empowering them with business capital, vocational training, and agricultural support will go further in transforming lives than putting expensive phones in the hands of a few.
Senator Aliero must remember: development is not about luxury gifts to loyalists,
It is about building a future where the majority can stand on their own feet. Until our leaders begin to prioritize livelihood over gadgets, poverty will remain the harsh reality of our rural youths with the highest number of unemployment in the state.
