Bahamas News
UB and Verizon Media Group Hosting Historic General Election National Debate Series
Press Release: Political candidates will be scrutinized and have the opportunity to debate pivotal issues facing The Bahamas via a series of televised, national debates leading to the next general election through a collaboration involving University of The Bahamas (UB) and Verizon Media Group (VMG).
At a recent press conference announcement, Co-Chair of the Planning Committee and Associate Professor of History Dr. Christopher Curry asserted that UB is hosting the debate series as universities are traditionally incubators of grand ideas, conflicting points of view, and disparate schools of thought.
“This series of debates will provide all political parties regardless of size, longevity, or stature-an opportunity to openly debate policy and platform as equal rivals in an academic space that treasures and promotes robust and rigorous discussion, critical thinking, and a reflection on how best to serve and promote the common good,” explained Dr. Curry.
Four political debates are scheduled to be held at UB’s Performing Arts Centre at the Oakes Field Campus on 4th and 18th May and 3rd and 15th of June featuring representatives from various political parties which are fielding candidates for the next general election. The questions will focus on diverse issues of national importance to The Bahamas. One of the debates will focus on youth candidates ratified by the parties and at least one UB student. The
others will provide a platform for the governing Free National Movement, Opposition Progressive Liberal Party and other political parties to be questioned on matters about which Bahamian voters care deeply.
The collaboration to facilitate the debate series is being governed by a Memorandum of Understanding.
“It is also our shared belief that we must raise and deepen the standard of our dialogue by focusing on the issues important to the citizenry and the nation at large. We will field in studio and social media questions, along with conducting, pre, live and post poling of each debate. This will allow for a broader level of participation and input from those most impacted by an Administration’s proposed Legislative Agenda and Public Policy,” said VMG
General Manager Gershan Major.
VMG is the parent company of Eyewitness News which is providing comprehensive broadcast support for the political debate series. For each debate, there will be four scripted questions, followed by a series of audience-generated questions. The scripted questions will be submitted to debaters in advance once participation is confirmed.
While UB is providing the physical space for the event, as well as a neutral arena, due to COVID-19 health regulations, strict protocols on social distancing, sanitization, and temperature checks will be enforced, and the number of in-person attendees will be restricted to 20 persons. Nonetheless, Dr. Curry said UB could not have asked for a better
arrangement given the University’s prominence and important function in Bahamian society.
“It’s important for our callers, our observers, our listeners, our viewers to mark these dates on your calendars. You’re going to learn a lot about your own country going forward,” said UB President and CEO Dr. Rodney D. Smith. “Equally important, you are going to learn a lot about your potential leaders of tomorrow. You have to know who are going to be leading you. This is your opportunity to make a decision as to which direction your country is going to go and you have a part to play. Just as much as the politicians have a part to play, you do as well. You have to vote, you have to be a part of this process. You have to participate in these debates.”
Notably, EWN/VMG plans to decentralize coverage to accommodate viewers in the Family Islands by live streaming the event and using various focus group sites strategically located across The Bahamas.
“As we continue to traverse this uncertain, and unprecedented environment, we are elated to be part of such an historic moment that is poised to not only raise the level of political discourse in this country but to truly democratize the process,” said Ms. Ava Turnquest, Head of Digital at EWN/VMG and General Election National Debate Series Planning Committee Co-Chair. “We truly believe this is our duty as members of the fourth estate.”
According to event organizers, letters have already been formally sent to all political parties contesting the upcoming general election with many of the political parties having submitted either verbal or written responses confirming their participation.
Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
