25-year-old Senior Special Assistant to Kwara State Governor on Youth Engagement, Kaosarah Adeyi, in this interview by YUSUF ABDUL KADIR, talks about her experience as a political appointee and women’s participation in politics. Excerpts:

How has life been as a political appointee?

Life as an appointee has been a wonderful one filled with experiences and different challenges. Not leaving out the various impacts and initiatives my office has embarked on upon resuming office. The challenges range from work-family balance and a lot of pressure on the needs of my constituency.

How have you impacted the lives of Kwara youth as SSA to the governor on youth engagement?

When I assumed office we ran a survey to understand the needs and expectations of youths from the state Government. The results of the survey enabled us to map out solutions and strategies to respond to the yearnings of youths from across the 16 Local governments in Kwara State. We have had various youth development initiatives such as the Kwara Youth fair which gave youth the platform to exhibit their businesses, products, and talents. They were also given business grants and free CAC registration for about 200 young business owners in the state. My office also partnered with a software development company called tIIDELab Initiative where youths were equipped with technological skills needed to compete globally. Graduates of the programs are now gainfully employed with arrays of tech companies in Nigeria. We also had several engagements and town hall meetings with youths across the three senatorial districts where all appointees had a government appointees engagement to foster relationships with the citizens.

#Breakthebias: Is it truly needed at the moment?

To ascertain whether gender bias is needed at this moment or not, we first need to understand what gender bias is all about. Gender bias has to do with various stereotypes being faced by women culturally, socially, and politically. It speaks to various limitations women face as a result of their gender. We need women to be given more opportunities rather than being subjugated as belonging to the kitchen, we need women to be given opportunities to rise to the top of their careers without any form of discrimination or stereotypes. We need to take charge in issues that affect us. So in my own opinion, breaking the gender bias is truly needed at this moment.

Is the bill on the creation of additional seats for Nigerian women at the National Assembly realistic?

I don’t think it is realistic, I will rather advocate for a suitable environment for women to be able to compete with other women and men rather than an additional seat for women. Creating an additional seat for women means we agree that the female gender is weaker/lesser than the male gender. Everyone should be able to compete based on their competencies, skills, and knowledge and should not be based on gender. Also, additional seats will be a burden on the country’s economy and increase the cost of governance.

Are women truly ready to break barriers? Yes, we are more than ever before, women are speaking out on issues that affect them, more women are taking up leadership positions virtually in all sectors of the government and they are doing exceptionally well, and are breaking ground across different aspects of their lives.

As a female appointee, what is your view on having more women in government?

Here in Kwara State, we have the highest number of female appointees ranging from Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants, all thanks to my principal, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Having women in government is one of the ways to break bias against women and we need more states to emulate the Kwara State governor and give women more opportunities.

How has life been as an author? Do you still have time to write; especially combining that with your political responsibilities?

I haven’t published a book after I published my book entitled "Of Shades and Colours” but as a political appointee, there is always a need to write about the government, and projects amongst others. I am putting my thoughts together and they will be published in due time.

What motivates you the most in life?

My desire for success and changing the narratives about my background motives me a lot and keeps me going in life.

Would you be contesting for a political seat later in the future?

Only God Knows the future.

What pace are you setting for Kwara women?

We are bringing up women who are visionary and impact-driven leaders who will contribute to the growth of our society. Women will believe there is nothing they can’t achieve if they truly put their mind to it.

Your words of inspiration to Nigerian women out there, especially the young ones?

My words of inspiration to young women out there is to believe in themselves and put in energy in everything they do and wherever they find themselves.

You got this appointment at age 24, can you tell us the secret behind that?

Before I got appointed as the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Engagement, I have served in different leadership positions and volunteered for different non-governmental organizations which projected me to the outside world. I also represented Kwara State on the Northern States Governors Forum Committee on Youth Engagement, Priorities, and Inclusion in Governance and I also served as the youth representative on the EndSARS Panel. During my undergraduate program, I served as the Student Union Vice President of over 40,000 students of the University of Ilorin, and the General Secretary of the Nigerian Society for Environmental Conservation among others. In all positions, I have prioritized people and made impact-driven initiatives my watchword. I think all these and the grace of God have prepared me for this day.