Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, the eldest son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has penned an open letter to his father, urging him to place greater emphasis on human capital development after investing significantly in physical infrastructure over the past seven years.
In a post on his Facebook page titled, “Bridging the Gap: A Call for a Human Capital-Focused Policy for Bauchi State to His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Executive Governor of Bauchi State,” Shamsudeen said that, as a son of the soil, an engineer and a stakeholder deeply invested in the state’s progress, he wrote the letter in a spirit of loyalty and profound concern.
Addressing his father, Shamsudeen acknowledged that over the past seven years, “your administration has undeniably transformed the landscape of Bauchi State. The infrastructure projects—our roads, schools and hospitals—stand as a testament to your vision and legacy. These are milestones that future generations will celebrate.
“However, as we approach 2027, I feel a responsibility to bring to your attention a growing disconnect between this commendable infrastructure drive and the immediate economic realities of our people. There is a growing, palpable frustration among the youth—the very demographic that forms the bedrock of your political support.
“The prevailing sentiment on the ground is that while infrastructure is vital, it does not alleviate the immediate economic hardship, the struggle for daily sustenance, or the pain of families still awaiting civil service gratuities.”
According to him, the level of agitation among young people is approaching a boiling point.
“Our youth are not merely asking for handouts; they are asking for a stake in the prosperity of their state. They feel that the strides made thus far, while impressive, have not reached them in a way that positively impacts their livelihoods.
“I humbly suggest that the next phase of your administration be defined by a ‘socio-economic empowerment pivot.’ We should explore global models of productive inclusion—mechanisms that provide seed funding for youth-led startups, capital grants for small-scale entrepreneurs, and policy-driven mandates requiring contractors to prioritise the employment of local youths. Let us shift the focus from solely ‘building the state’ to ‘investing in its people.’
“Your Excellency, your legacy is already secured in steel and concrete. I pray that your enduring legacy will be the economic resilience of Bauchi’s youth. With respect and unwavering hope for a greater Bauchi.”
Segun Awofadeji
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