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BAHAMAS: To Sir With Love: Happy Birthday, Sir Sidney!

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Coral Harbour Base, February 20, 2019 – BahamasCWith the air of a salute befitting royalty, members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are paying special tribute to Sir Sidney Poitier in recognition of his ninety-second birthday on Wednesday 20 February 2019 with a unique video collaboration that was released earlier tonight via mainstream and social media https://www.facebook.com/RBDFMIL/ ; @RBDFPR (Twitter)

Through this production of love, members of the Defence Force–The Bahamas’ military service–salute the life and living legacy of a great Bahamian-American, celebrated actor, film director, author and diplomat.

The video production is set to the theme song of the British film bearing the same title, To Sir With Love, in which Sir Sidney played the leading role.  The song was also released the same year as the film in 1967, and was sung by Scottish singer and actress, Lulu Kennedy-Cairns. A recipient of the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award, Lulu starred alongside Sir Sidney in the movie. The song and movie became a number 1 hit that year on US charts.

Distributed by Columbia Pictures, the film featured Sir Sidney as a black educator from British Guiana (now Republic of Guyana), who took a teaching job at a high school in the rough East End district of London.  At the school, the students addressed their teacher as, ‘Sir,’ almost a decade before Sir Sidney was actually knighted by the Queen of England.

Against great odds, ‘Sir’ was able to impart a sense of dignity, and social responsibility to a class of defiant, rebellious teenagers. In the end, the students came to love and respect him for the time and effort invested in transforming their lives for the better.

Sir Sidney was born ninety-two years ago on 20th February 1927.  Back then, The Bahamas was a British colony before gaining independence in 1973.  His parents were farmers in Cat Island–an island in central Bahamas famed for storytelling,  rake-n-scrape music and quadrille dancing that was once featured at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

The 48-mile long Island also boasts The Bahamas’ highest hill, Mount Alvernia (also known as Como Hill), near central Cat Island with a height of 206 feet.  Though low in comparison to the mountains of California, Mt. Alvernia foreshadowed the summit Sir Sidney was to climb in the film making industry.

Sir Sidney’s birth, however, took place in Miami, Florida–180 miles northwest of New Providence–during an overseas visit by his mother.  He grew up in both Cat Island and the island of the nation’s capital (Nassau), New Providence Island, and spent his later teenage and adult years in the US, primarily Miami and New York. Both Sir Sidney and his wife, Canadian-American actress, Lady Joanna (née Shimkus), now live in California.

His passion for acting earned him an almost immediate reputation in the film industry, where he earned the distinction of being the first black person to garner the American Academy and Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in 1964. Many prestigious awards have followed, including the American Presidential Freedom Award.

Other notable achievements by Sir Sidney include being awarded Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974, and serving as the Ambassador of The Bahamas to Japan from 1997-2007.  He had also served for a short time in the United States Army during World War II in 1943.

Sir Sidney’s heritage is that of one whose lifeblood was drawn from Bahamian land and sea–a place that gave birth to the modern nations of the Americas following Christopher Columbus’ first landfall in the New World in 1492 on an island of The Bahamas, which some claim to be Cat Island.

As guardians of this rich heritage and with their motto as, ‘Guard Our Heritage,’  it seems fitting that the very Officers and Marines, who preserve and protect the native shores of this tropical paradise saw fit to honor one of their nation’s own shining stars with a touching tribute.

The tribute is in three formats: a music video production that was released for television earlier tonight; instrumental music for easy listening on the radio; and vocals for personal enjoyment. The instrumental and vocals will be released on Thursday 21 February, 2019.

The music video production includes scenes filmed on location at the Sidney Poitier Bridge (Nassau-Paradise Island), Junkanoo Beach (Nassau), Cat Island, and the main Defence Force Base at Coral Harbour in New Providence. The production also includes a salute by Marines aboard the Defence Force’s flagship, Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship BAHAMAS.

To Sir With Love was originally written by Don Black and arranged by Mike Leander with music by Mark London.  The Defence Force version was composed with a Bahamian flair by Sub Lieutenant Kevin Toote, a seagoing officer and musician, and sung by Able Woman Marine Ebony Gibson, a member of the Defence Force Band.

Music for the bideo and radio was performed by the Defence Force Band and directed by Chief Petty Officer Matthew Rolle. The production also features native rake-n-scrape and Junkanoo music.

Petty Officer Anton Gardiner provided drone videography.  Film editing was done by Leading Seaman Al Rahming assisted by Defence Force Public Relations staff led by Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Rolle.

Technical support and coordination of activities at film locations were provided by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Reel Time Studio, The Bahamas Bridge Authority, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (Paradise Island Police Station), and volunteers of the Roots Junkanoo Group. Petty Officer Anton Gardiner provided drone videography.  Film editing was done by Leading Seaman Al Rahming assisted by Defence Force Public Relations staff led by Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Rolle.

Technical support and coordination of activities at film locations were provided by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Reel Time Studio, The Bahamas Bridge Authority, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (Paradise Island Police Station), and volunteers of the Roots Junkanoo group.

Video Link Attached below:

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/b04cc8f3ef005b10a499bbe22e13d7e620190220003156/0e71a074184d07cc1a6a08f3e51e764a20190220003156/251d45

(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel)

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Release: RBDF

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Bahamas Officials in Botswana

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

#Bahamas#Botswana, March 18th, 2024 – Prime Minister of The Bahamas Philip Davis is now in Botswana from March 18 to the 22, invited by Botswana’s president  Mokgweetsi Masisi, and both nations, according to The Bahamas Office of the Prime Minister, are expected to sign agreements for trade, education, tourism, investment, banking and climate change in efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties. The Bahamian officials accompanying Davis are the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training; Minister of Economic Affairs; Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism, Investment and Aviation.

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RBDF Operation Strengthens Maritime Security Amidst Regional Turmoil

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Defence Headquarters, 17 MAR. ’24: A joint operation between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) led to the apprehension of 50 Haitian migrants approximately 5 nautical miles west of Bell Island on Saturday, March 16th.

The operation was initiated following the initial sighting of a sailing vessel, believed to be of Haitian origin, 8 miles southwest of Staniel Cay in the Exumas. RBDF swiftly deployed air and surface assets stationed at Matthew Town Inagua, supported by Police officials in Staniel Cay who verified the sighting. The migrants were intercepted by RBDF personnel stationed at the Land and Sea Park, Wardrick Wells Exuma, and subsequently handed over to the safe boat crew. They are currently under apprehension pending further investigation, with the imminent arrival of HMBS Rolly Gray.

In response to the ongoing instability in Haiti, Commodore Raymond King has announced the implementation of a strategic blockade in the southern Bahamas. This initiative includes the deployment of six surface vessels, one aircraft, and 120 highly skilled RBDF personnel. Patrol operations will be concentrated in critical areas such as the northern coast of Haiti, the Old Bahama Channel, and the Windward Passage, with the aim of deterring unauthorized entry attempts and preserving maritime security in the region.

The effectiveness of these decisive measures is evident, with recent apprehensions totaling 247 individuals by the RBDF. Commodore Raymond E. King emphasizes the commitment to bolstering maritime security through collaborative efforts with regional partners and local law enforcement agencies.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s borders and territorial integrity, working collaboratively with regional partners.

(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel)

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CIBC CARIBBEAN and Bahamas Girl Guides Association host inaugural Delaney Leadership Seminar

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Nassau, Bahamas, February 28, 2024 – Enthusiastic girl guides, ranger guides, and girls representing schools across The Bahamas recently gathered at the first ever Delaney Leadership Seminar.

The seminar, named in honor of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s (now CIBC Caribbean) first female chief executive officer, Ms. Colette Delaney, empowered the next generation of female leaders through focused sessions on leadership development, cultivating a leadership mindset, and the importance of building strong, supportive friendships. 

The event featured a series of team building exercises, interactive discussions, and a keynote address by Dr. Jacqui Bend, CIBC Caribbean’s Managing Director. Dr. Bend shared insights on the essence of leadership, guiding principles, and emphasized the role of young women in shaping a vibrant future for The Bahamas and beyond.

“It was a privilege to witness the incredible energy and budding potential of the young leaders that participated. Leadership is not just about guiding others; it’s about inspiring action and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. The Delaney Leadership Seminar is a testament to CIBC Caribbean’s commitment to nurturing young, bright minds and equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to lead with purpose and passion,” said Dr. Bend.

Held under the theme, Our World, Our Bahamas, Our Thriving Future, the seminar underscored the importance of lifelong learning, perseverance, empathy, and collaboration in leadership, among other guiding principles. Dr. Bend highlighted the strides already being made by the participants and encouraged them to continue exploring their potential and envisioning their roles in creating positive change within their communities and the wider world.

Delina Rolle, a tenth-grade participant and aspiring lawyer from Preston H. Albury High School in Eleuthera, shared, “This seminar has been a life-changing experience for me. Hearing Dr. Bend’s success story and her tips were inspiring for me as a young girl trying to be a leader. I am happy I was selected by my school’s administration to attend and connect with so many amazing girls who share my dreams of making a difference.”

The Delaney Leadership Seminar has set a new benchmark for youth leadership programs in The Bahamas. The event concluded with a commitment from both CIBC Caribbean and the Bahamas Girl Guides Association (BGGA) to continue their support for youth leadership initiatives. 

In 2022, CIBC FirstCaribbean donated to the BGGA to assist in completing the interior of its $1.5 million, West Bay Street headquarters, which will feature meeting rooms, office spaces, training areas, accommodations for girl guides visiting from other countries and other essential working areas.

It was at that time that Dr. Bend affirmed the bank’s commitment to support organizations that mirror the bank’s promise to assist women and girls in the communities it serves. Prior to that, the bank donated several native trees to BGGA, which were planted at its campsite, Camp Discovery, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Housing’s Forestry Unit.

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