Politics
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: Meet Namibia’s 72-year-old First Female President
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history on March 21, 2025, as she was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president, reaching the pinnacle of leadership nearly six decades after joining the country’s liberation movement.
At 72 years old, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s election in November 2024 placed her among a select group of female African leaders, following the likes of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.
Her inauguration, attended by regional leaders and former female heads of state, coincided with Namibia’s 35th independence anniversary.
However, due to heavy rains, the event was relocated from a stadium to the presidential office, where she took her oath in front of visiting dignitaries from South Africa, Zambia, Congo, Botswana, Angola, and Kenya.
How it all started
Born on October 29, 1952, in Onamutai, Namibia, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s political journey began at just 14 years old when she joined the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), the party that led Namibia’s struggle for independence from South Africa.
- Forced into exile in 1973, she worked at SWAPO’s headquarters in Zambia and later pursued political and diplomatic studies in the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom.
- Over the years, she served as Namibia’s deputy prime minister from 2015 to 2024, minister of international relations and cooperation.
- From 2012 to 2015, the minister of environment and tourism from 2010 to 2012, and minister of women affairs and child welfare from 2000 to 2005.
- In 2017, she became the first woman elected as SWAPO’s vice president and later became the party’s first female presidential candidate in 2024.
Following the death of President Hage Geingob in February 2024, she was appointed vice president, serving briefly under acting President Nangolo Mbumba before winning the election.
What to know
As Namibia’s fifth president, Nandi-Ndaitwah has vowed to continue strengthening the country’s democracy and driving economic progress. In her inaugural address, she emphasized the need to preserve the gains of independence while ensuring economic and social advancement for all Namibians.
She has pledged to focus on boosting economic growth, improving social welfare, and enhancing Namibia’s role in regional and global diplomacy.
“The task facing me as the fifth president of the Republic of Namibia is to preserve the gains of our independence and ensure that the unfinished agenda of economic and social advancement is carried forward with vigor and determination,” she said in her inaugural address.
Her presidency comes at a crucial time for Namibia, as the country navigates economic challenges, youth unemployment, and sustainable development goals. She has positioned herself as a leader committed to addressing these issues with determination and vision.
Her lifelong commitment to public service and governance has earned her multiple accolades, including the Inter-Generational Leadership Award at the 2024 Nala Feminist Summit, the Thought Leadership Award at the Namibia Sustainable Development Awards, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Married to Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, she remains a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment, education, and community development.
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said he will never take part in partisan politics, not for even billions of naira.
He stated that no amount of money, including “$1 billion,” (1.4 Trillion naira) would make him join politics.
Oyedepo made this known during an impartation service at Shiloh 2025 held at the church’s headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He explained that partisan politics is not part of his life’s calling and that is why he has chosen to stay away from it.
In his words: “In 2015, I warned the church that trouble was coming. Didn’t trouble come?
“Partisan politics is off my calling. If you give me $1 billion to join politics, I won’t, because it is off my course.”
The bishop also said the world is in urgent need of God’s intervention because of the times we are living in.
According to him, believers are being trained as an end-time army to bring solutions to national and global problems, similar to what biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel did.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025
FG Bans Admission, Transfer Of SS3 Students
“It took me getting married and giving birth to realise marriage benefits men more” — Woman shares emotional thoughts
Private jet crash lands at Kano airport
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI