Bahamas News

Govt announces ‘Official funeral’ for the late BJ Nottage

Published

7 years ago

July 10, 2017

Nassau, Bahamas – July 10, 2017 – The Cabinet Office announces that an Official funeral will be held for the late Bernard J. Nottage, former Minister of National Security and Member of Parliament for Bain and Grants Town on Friday 14 July at 11:00 in the morning at St. Agnes Church.

Dr. Nottage passed away on Wednesday 28 June in a Florida hospital where he was airlifted after spending 3 days in the Intensive Care Unit of Doctor’s Hospital. Throughout this period, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis was in close and frequent contact with Mrs. Portia Nottage, wife of Bernard Nottage.

Dr. Nottage was a professional gynecological colleague and fellow Parliamentarian of current Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, whose government paid all expenses related to Former Minister Nottage’s care in Florida and the repatriation of his remains to The Bahamas.

The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Office extended condolences to the widow of Former Cabinet Minister, Dr. Bernard Nottage, on Wednesday afternoon, 28 June 2017, shortly after his passing.

In accordance with the policy for government funerals effective July 2009, a State Funeral is the highest level of Government funeral and is given to Governors Generals and Prime Ministers serving or retired. Cabinet Ministers who die while serving in Office are also accorded State Funerals. The church service and burial are carried live on national radio and television; the body of the deceased is laid in State in the House of Assembly; the church service is attended by the Governor General, the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and other Parliamentarians, the Judiciary, the Senior Corp of the Public Service, Uniformed Services and Heads of Mission of the Diplomatic Corp. The Police and Defence Forces provide an honour Guard and pall bearers.

The second tier of government funerals is the Official Funeral which is given to former Cabinet Ministers and serving members of Parliament. The government covers funeral costs up to a maximum of $10,000.00 and the Police and Defence Force provide an honour Guard. Lying-In-State takes place in the House of Assembly. The church service is carried live on radio and may be recorded for future airing. The church service is attended by the Governor General, the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and other Parliamentarians and senior public officers. In recognition of Dr. Nottage’s many years of Public Service in the area of politics and sports, the government decided to increase the funeral costs it would bear to a maximum of $50,000.00.

The lowest tier of government funerals is the State Recognized Service given to former Members of Parliament, serving Permanent Secretaries and other high ranking Public officers or civilians who have made invaluable contributions to the State. The government provides live broadcast of the funeral church service via national radio. Representation of the Cabinet and Parliamentarians and senior public officers are in attendance.

Protocol services and funeral service programmes are provided for each of these three categories of funerals.

The Cabinet Secretary issued a formal communication to Mrs. Portia Nottage informing of the government’s decision to have an Official funeral and outlining all of the matters for which the government would be responsible.

The National Events Unit of the Cabinet Office is working with Dr. Nottage’s widow and other family members on the details of Dr. Nottage’s Official funeral. In the morning of Thursday, 6 July 2017, that Unit met with Dr. Nottage’s widow, brothers, sister, sister-in-law and the Nottage’s rector to discuss pertinent logistical and protocol matters to be attended to prior, during and after the funeral service. Mrs. Nottage chose St. Agnes Anglican Church where they worshiped as the location for the funeral. St. Agnes is also located in the constituency Dr. Nottage represented for many years.

A meeting of all of the government agencies involved in the staging of an official funeral was held later that day at the Cabinet Office. These include representatives from: the Protocol Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Royal Bahamas Police Force; the Royal Bahamas Defence Force; the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas; the Ministry of Works; the Bahamas Information Services; the House of Assembly and the National Events Unit of Cabinet Office. Also in attendance were Fr. I. Ranfurly Brown, rector of St. Agnes Church and a representative of Bethel Brother’s Morticians.

The Cabinet Office will continue to provide support and advice to the Nottage family during their period of bereavement.

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Bahamas News

Get your laugh on, March On, family drama by Gea Pierre, debut this weekend in Turks and Caicos

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale again this weekend, the show debuts Friday night.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew where shows are set for Brayton Hall, for Friday May 10 at 8pm and Saturday has two showings; matinee at 4pm and evening, 8pm.

Tickets are $75 VIP. General admission is $60.

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attentattention.

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. The full team returns on Friday, May 10 with the comedy production being held under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stop laughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”

Bahamas News

The Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays

Published

7 days ago

May 12, 2024

Shanieka

NASSAU, Bahamas – Hundreds of people from around the world turned out in full force for the BTC World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 that took place at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, May 4 -5, 2024.

This is the sixth edition of the relays and the fourth time that The Bahamas has hosted the event, which actually made its debut in The Bahamas in 2014.

President, World Athletics, Sabastian Coe said after three very successful editions from 2014 to 2017, the World Athletics Relays has quickly become one of the World Athletics vibrant competitions, developing a culture of fun and innovation that gives it a unique flavour.

He thanked the Bahamas Government, the local World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 committee and the Bahamian people for agreeing to host the relays. However, his main thanks were to the “world’s best sprinters” travelling from all the continents to compete in preparation for the road to Paris, France, in two months’ time.

During the opening ceremony, the athletes were given words of advice from Carl Lewis, one of only four Olympic athletes to have won nine Olympic gold medals, who is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

He said, “Keep it simple, do not try to do anything extra. Do what your coaches said. Leave on time, leave on time, leave on time.”

The athletes and crowds were treated to the sounds and sights of Junkanoo at the end of the opening ceremony. The Junkanoo performers stuck around for the two days of competitions, playing for the sprinters as they competed on the track.

Teams competed in the Women’s and men’s 4x100m, and the women’s men’s and mixed 4x400m. A total of 14 teams at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 automatically qualified for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Both days of competition were important, as day two offered another chance for qualifications for those teams unsuccessful on day one.

In fact, The Bahamas was able to take advantage of the second day of competition.

Bahamians were made proud as the country set a new national record during the mixed 4x400m relays thanks to the efforts of 16-year-old Shania Adderley, a student of Tabernacle Baptist Academy.

The team came first in their heat on Sunday evening after not being able to gain a spot for the Paris Olympics on the first day of competition.

Other sprinters on the team included Alonzo Russell, as well as Olympic champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

Bahamas News

PM at World Relays 2024 Opening: ‘Tonight, the eyes are on The Bahamas’

Published

7 days ago

May 12, 2024

Shanieka

NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his remarks at the Opening Ceremony for the World Athletics Relays 2024, on May 4, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis welcomed the special guests, athletes, officials, and “all lovers of athletics from around the world” to the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium here in the “vibrant heart” of Nassau, Bahamas.

“This weekend, the world’s finest athletes gather on our shores to embark on a journey that is not only about speed and strength but also about dreams and determination,” Prime Minister Davis said. “From the serene beauty of our islands to the historic grandeur of Paris, this event marks a crucial path to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.”

He added: “Here in The Bahamas, we are no strangers to world-class athletics or the warmth and exuberance that such international gatherings bring. It is a distinct honor to once again welcome the World Athletics Relays back to our islands. This event holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing a bridge between nations brought together by the universal language of sport.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that that year’s theme, “Paradise to Paris,” captured the essence of that journey.

“It is here, amidst the splendor of our sun-kissed beaches and the rhythmic sway of our palms that the chase towards Olympic glory begins anew,” he stated. “We are thrilled to offer a backdrop of unparalleled beauty, where every sprint, every baton pass, and every victory lap is set against the picture-perfect canvas of our islands.”

He added: “To our athletes, I say this: as you stand on the precipice of your dreams, ready to catapult yourself into the annals of history, know that you are part of a legacy of excellence and determination. This weekend, you are not only competitors but also ambassadors of your countries and the spirit of sport. We are especially proud of Team Bahamas, who carry the weight of their performance and the hopes and pride of our nation. You embody the spirit of The Bahamian people, and we are behind you every step of the way.”

Prime Minister said that to the international visitors, he extended “the warmest Bahamian welcome”.

“Over the next few days, as you revel in the thrill of competition, take a moment to bask in the beauty of our island,” he stated. “Discover why we proudly say, “It’s Better in The Bahamas.” Whether it’s the hospitality of our people, the tranquility of our waters, or the rhythm of our culture, you are in for an experience that captures the heart and rejuvenates the soul.”

“Let us celebrate the unity and friendship that sports foster, cheering every athlete and savoring the spectacle of human potential at its best,” Prime Minister Davis added. “I hope the races are swift, the results are inspiring, and the memories are lasting.

“Welcome to The Bahamas, the paradise where champions chase their dreams to Paris. As your host, it is my immense pleasure to declare the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024 officially open. Let the games begin.”