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BAHAMAS: First Female Warrant Officer Retires

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Coral Harbour Base, 12 FEB. ‘19 (RBDF) –The Royal Bahamas Defence Force said farewell to Force Chief Petty Officer (FCPO) Idamae Ferguson after 33 years of committed service. FCPO Ferguson was the first female in the Defence Force to attain the rate of Warrant Officer after being promoted in 2017; a Warrant Officer is the highest rate within the enlisted corps.

FCPO Ferguson gave her final farewell on Parade immediately following Morning Colours (a military flag raising ceremony held every morning at Coral Harbour Base). She left Parade attendees with wise words of encouragement to carry on throughout their careers. Members of the Defence Force, along with retired veterans joined the momentous occasion.

Following the ceremony, FCPO Ferguson met with Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel, and his team at Defence Headquarters. Commodore Bethel spoke highly of FCPO Ferguson’s service over the years. 

“Your contributions to the success of the Defence Force have been remarkable. You were always able to grow wherever you were planted, and you bore good fruit, and that’s how you effect change. You have been an inspiration, and we value and appreciate your service,” said Commodore Bethel.

FCPO Ferguson reminded those in attendance that officers and marines don’t merely work for the organization, but make up the organization. She also emphasized the importance of remaining united towards a common goal, and that only then, can the organization achieve great success.

FCPO Ferguson was a member of the first female entry (Woman Entry 1) to join the RBDF as a Marine Recruit on October 28, 1985. Departments in which she has served over the course of her career have included Training, Communications Centre, Head Quarters Registry, Accounts, Squadron with the Supply Department being her final assignment.

The Defence Force wishes Force Chief Petty Officer Idamae Ferguson a successful transition into civilian life.

Photo 1: Force Chief Petty Officer Idamae Ferguson giving words of encouragement to those in attendance during her farewell ceremony at the Defence Force Base.

Photo 2 shows: From left: Captain Adrian Chriswell, Captain Coral Harbour (Acting); Force Chief Petty Officer Idamae Ferguson; and Commander Michael Sweeting, Base Executive Officer.

Photo 3: The RBDF Warrant Officers showing their support for their comrade, Force Chief Petty Officer Idamae Ferguson who retired after 33 years of committed service at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Photo 4 shows: Commander Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel and his Command Team along with Officers and Senior Enlisted at the Defence Force Headquarters. They all had encouraging words for Force Chief Petty Officer Idamae Ferguson

Photo 5 shows: Force Chief Petty Officer Idamae Ferguson and some of her squadmates of Woman Entry 1 during an Awards and Medal presentation ceremony at Government House in 2005.

(Photos courtesy RBDF Public Relations Section)

(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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CUBAN MIGRANTS DETAINED ALONG EXUMA CHAIN

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Defence Headquarters 28 SEP ’23: HMBS P-45 under the command of Chief Petty Officer Acadia Smith detained a group of Cuban migrants in Cistern Cay, Exuma on September 27, 2023, due to information received from a Good Samaritan vessel in the area that handed them over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Members of HMBS P-45 retrieved twenty-eight (28) Cuban nationals and transported them to HMBS Coral Harbour in New Providence.  All individuals appeared to be in good health and will undergo further processing and assessment by Immigration officials.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage and appreciates the sharing of information and intelligence provided by the boating community to affect migrants and other unlawful interdictions at sea.

(For additional information, contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our official website at www.rbdf.gov.bs. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and explore our engaging content on our YouTube channel).

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CTO mourns the passing of former chairman Obediah Wilchcombe

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#BARBADOS (September 26, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) deeply mourns the loss of distinguished Bahamian leader and former chairman of the inter-regional body, Obediah Wilchcombe.

At the time of his passing, Mr. Wilchcombe was serving as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.

“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Minister Wilchcombe’s family, as well as the government and people of the Bahamas. He was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” remarked Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.

Chairman Bryan recalled Minister Wilchcombe held the position of CTO Chairman twice (2002-2004 and 2016-2017) while serving as Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, and contributed significantly to the advancement of sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.

Chairman Bryan noted that the CTO plans to honor the life and legacy of “this eminent Bahamian leader” at the organization’s upcoming business meetings and the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Turks and Caicos next month.

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Beloved Bahamian Obie Wilchcombe dies; shocking, heartbreaking loss for The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

 

#TheBahamas, September 26, 2023 – The Bahamas’ Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe made headlines in a completely unexpected way on Monday September 25; the veteran broadcaster and long-time politician, who passed away suddenly in his home island, Grand Bahama.

Reports to our newsroom were that Wilchcombe was found unresponsive and rushed to the Rand Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Reports say the Minister passed due to heart failure at 64 years old.

The Office of the Prime Minister informed the prime minister would immediately travel to Freeport, Grand Bahama to be with loved ones of his Cabinet colleague.

The office offered this:  Expressing condolences to the family, friends, loved ones and colleagues of Minister Wilchcombe, a true patriot, visionary leader and his cherished friend, the nation’s leader, in his official statement, said he was doing so with the heaviest of hearts.

“Obie’s untimely passing is very shocking and very sad. Even though he has achieved much in his many years of public service, he still had so much more to offer,” Prime Minister Davis said.

The Minister, affectionately called Obie Wilchcombe, was a fierce Member of Parliament  who has been serving in politics for about 28 years, starting in 1994, according to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

Not only did he serve as Senator and Cabinet Minister, but he was also the former Minister of Tourism and a National Chairman of the PLP.

“Our party is reeling this morning,” said Minister Fred Mitchell, current PLP National Chairman in a statement, “The party joins in those expressions.  We have a deep sense of loss from one we have known over the decades of public life.

On behalf of the PLP, our leader and the entire team, supporters and friends, we can extend condolences to his family.”

Former prime minister and PLP party leader, Rt Hon Perry Christie said, “Obie served with distinction as Minister of Tourism.  He was a dedicated servant of the people and a chief steward of our nation’s number one industry for some ten years.  Any student of the tourism industry for the period of Obie’s ministerial tenure will be left in no doubt as to the magnitude and importance of his numerous accomplishments in relation to the growth and development of Bahamian tourism.”

In fact, as Tourism Minister, his notable accomplishments, according to party leader and prime minister, Davis included the introduction of sports tourism and the creation of a policy which helped to cement The Bahamas as an ideal film destination; two of the top three films of 2006 were shot in The Bahamas.

Additionally, the late Minister was a sportsman.

Wilchcombe served as former President of the Grand Bahama Basketball Association and the Commonwealth American Football League (CAFL).

His career in journalism is legendary.  Having worked with the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas as a reporter, anchorman and eventually taking on leadership roles including Deputy General Manager.  At the time of his death, Minister Wilchcombe was holder of the Information and Broadcast portfolios of the Davis Administration.

“This is a very sad occasion for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas as you’d be aware one of our Frontline soldiers who would have labored very long in the public service Vineyard had passed, we learned early this morning the Honorable Obie Wilchcombe  passed away the free national movement wishes is to extend condolences to his immediate and extended family and to members of the Progressive Liberal Party and to members of the journalism fraternity, having lost someone who has played an integral role in the development of this country,” said Michael Pintard, fellow Grand Bahamian and Leader of the Official Opposition, Free National Movement.

From the region, there is also reflection and condolences. From the Caribbean Tourism Organization:  The CTO deeply mourns the loss of distinguished Bahamian leader and former chairman of the inter-regional body, Obediah Wilchcombe.

At the time of his passing, Mr. Wilchcombe was serving as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.

“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Minister Wilchcombe’s family, as well as the government and people of the Bahamas. He was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” remarked Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.

“The Premier and Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands sends its condolences to the family, friends, government, and people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the sudden passing of the late Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, MP.

May his soul rest in peace,” said Hon Washington Misick, TCI Premier.

The death of Minister Obediah Wilchcombe is the first; a cabinet minister dying while still in office has no place in recent memory for many.  It will mean a by-election for The Bahamas and a mournful experience when parliament reopens on October 4; Hon Wilchcombe with his vast experience and eloquence was also the Government Leader of Business in the House of Assembly, which is currently prorogued.

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