Shaquan O’Neil with Sir Rodney Williams (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)
Shaquan O’Neil says he views his appointment to the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda not as a reward but as a burden of responsibility, after becoming the youngest person ever appointed to the Upper House of Parliament.
O’Neil, a recent graduate of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus and National Youth Ambassador, was among ten government senators sworn in at Government House on Friday morning.
Receiving his instrument of appointment from Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, O’Neil said the occasion carried a weight that went beyond personal achievement.
“Not only to be in the Senate, but also as one of the youngest senators, I’m elated,” O’Neil told state media. “It’s a burden and also a part of the legacy that you must be able to represent, not only the people of Antigua and Barbuda, but especially the youth.”
O’Neil, who is also a member of the National Youth Parliament Association, said his primary focus in the Senate would be creating space for young people in national decision-making and addressing youth unemployment, which he described as a persistent regional challenge.
“I want to be able to ensure that I provide a space for young people within the room,” he said. “I want to be able to provide a platform to advocate for them to get the necessary training and equip themselves with the necessary knowledge so that when opportunities come, they are equipped to take on the world.”
When asked about the moment he received the call from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, O’Neil said his mind went immediately to the work ahead.
“I was excited to see how much I’ll be able to get done, especially speaking with some of the ministers and my fellow senators to see how best we can make our tenure one of the most fruitful tenures ever seen in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.
Young man you have made your family proud at a time when so many young persons are major disappointments.