By a Correspondent
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged newly sworn-in Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi to prioritise wisdom and sound judgement as he takes charge of the country’s second-highest office.
President Samia made the remarks on Saturday during Ndejembi’s swearing-in ceremony at State House in Dodoma, where she congratulated him on his appointment and challenged him to grow in wisdom rather than simply in age.
Ndejembi is 43 years old.
“I ask you to grow, not in age but in wisdom. Do not be like a fish, whose intelligence deteriorates as it grows. Go and grow; I have given you a great responsibility and I believe you can do it,” President Samia said in remarks reported by The Citizen, a Tanzanian publication.
The President said Ndejembi’s relatively young age could work to his advantage by giving him the energy and determination required to execute his responsibilities.
“By consensus, we decided that the position of Vice President should be returned to the youth so that we can continue nurturing them. It has moved from a young person and we have returned it to a young person,” she said.
Ndejembi, a former Minister for Energy, was sworn in after Parliament unanimously approved his nomination on Friday.
All 324 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported his appointment, with no votes against and no spoilt ballots.
He replaces 54-year old Emmanuel Nchimbi (pictured), whose departure from the vice-presidency has triggered a swift political transition within the Tanzanian government.
Nchimbi announced his resignation last week and was subsequently expelled from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. His exit paved the way for Ndejembi’s nomination by President Samia.
The new Vice-President has pledged to serve Tanzanians under President Samia’s direction and to act as a bridge between the government and citizens.
