“Look at the average age of our presidents, it’s about 63/64 years old…we are the only continent in the world where we have presidents at 90 years old starting new terms. You guys are crazy or what? (audience laughs)”. Well, those were some of the sentiments of Sudanese-British billionaire businessman Mohammed “Mo” Ibrahim.
The Founder and Chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation made those comments at an event in Kigali, Rwanda as a member of a panel alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, William Ruto and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Take a look at the video below:
I laughed hard when I watched the video but the truth of the matter is, this is beyond embarrassing. Sometimes the truth hurts but I couldn’t agree more with what he said considering Africa has a predominantly young population. It is rather unfortunate we are hardly given leadership roles or opportunities to manifest our God-given talents and capabilities. Some of our so-called leaders/elders always seem to jump on the “lack of experience” bandwagon as an excuse to sideline us for their own selfish interests.
I can even bet they wish they could posthumously hold on to those high ranking positions. Looking at some of the outdated and obsolete policies some of our ‘grandpa presidents’ who are guided by their ‘grandpa advisors’ make and implement, I can only conclude they are mere ceremonial leaders.
With Mo Ibrahim’s message clearly directed at the youth, it is incumbent upon us to take action and say “it’s enough” anytime a grandpa/grandma with primitive ideas is presented to us as a likely candidate to hold a high office. Let us grab the bull by the horn and let them know we are also capable of holding such positions. Afterall, how can we gain experience if we are not granted those opportunities they most at times refuse to let go?
Nigerians are eagerly awaiting to welcome their "daughter" Meghan Markle's royal visit next month alongside…
Othello Larenzo Holmes has been charged with attempted indecent assault and faces five counts of…
Dylan Beard is a Howard University graduate who is currently working at a Walmart deli.…
Boxing legend Mike Tyson is not taking any chances as he prepares for his July…
LeBron James has cast uncertainty over his future with the Lakers by declining to confirm…
Four Florida teenagers were killed after they crashed a suspected stolen car during a police…
When their school bus driver experienced a medical emergency, Acie Holland III came to the…
Former UFC heavyweight champion cum professional boxer Francis Ngannou took to social media on Monday…
A 17-year-old migrant from Sudan, Abdul Usman, has attempted to cross the Channel from France…
Tatiyana, Danyelle LaShay, and Jyniah Smith -- the Smith sisters -- are some of the…
It's a full circle moment for mom Tangenicka "Tange" Williams and her daughter Chyna set…
Fat Joe is widely known for hits like Lean Back, All the Way Up, and…
Get to know Jordan Taylor; he is the founder of Vizcom, a software company that…
38-year-old Tanice Spence-Clarke was arrested and charged with child neglect without physical harm after police…
Janet Jackson might have wielded superpowers alongside Marvel's iconic heroes. But, it was Halle Berry…