By Stanley Ugagbe
The African continent is known for recycling old people in the political terrain. Perhaps, the continent is yet to realize the relevance of youthfulness in leadership. A cursory overview of the African leaders shows that there is a very tiny space for young people in leadership.
But recently, the President of Namibia, Hage Geingob demonstrated strong belief in young people by appointing a 23-year-old woman, Emma Theofilus as Deputy Information and Technology Minister.
Remarkably, she was appointed as one of the eight presidential nominees for the country’s national assembly.
The appointment makes her the youngest Minister and Member of Parliament in the Southern African country.
The 23-year-old, a law graduate said she got to know about her appointment through a “surprisingly rare” phone call from the State House.
In an interview with newsmen on the development, Theophilus said “I do not think I am special, but I do not think I am inexperienced, and I do not think being young or female has anything to do with my appointment. Anything I set myself to and any environment I want to work into, I can do it; so the issue of inexperience does not hold any water.”
“I am excited. I am told I will be used as a benchmark for young people. I take on the challenge like I have taken other leadership roles. It is uncharted territory and political space but I am ready to take on the challenge,” she said in a separate interview.
The Nigerian Canadian News gathered that before the appointment, Theofilus was a legal officer in the Ministry of Justice where she dealt with drafting human rights reports as well as implementing the human rights strategy of the nation, among others.
Before the appointment which she adjudged a new challenge, she has had a fair share of challenges such as serving in various positions at Nanso, high school, deputy mayor and deputy speaker of the children’s parliament of Namibia. She has also worked with various youth groups, such as Global Shapers Windhoek.
With the diversification going on across the globe, it is time for the Africa Continent to give young people the chance to prove their onus in the political space.
