Bahamas News
NATIONAL HONOURS 2022
#TheBahamas, July 11, 2022 – In accordance with the provisions of the National Honours Act, His Excellency, the Governor-General, The Most Honourable Sir Cornelius Smith, O.N., G.C.M.G., Chancellor of the Societies of Honour, is pleased to announce the 2022 conferral of awards under the National Honours Act to Citizens of The Bahamas.
In making the announcements, His Excellency stated “that these Citizens, some of whom are being awarded posthumously, are being recognized for their outstanding service in various areas of our National Development, and I extend congratulations to them”.
His Excellency continued, “Further, as Chancellor, I also extend sincere congratulations to the Families of those Honourees who have died, and whose dedicated service and memories will ever be with us”.
Order of The Bahamas
- Philip Bethel, Companion
- Gail Saunders. Companion
- Dr. Michael Symonette, Officer
- Rupert Roberts Jr., Officer
- George Myers, Member
- Judge Joseph Strachan, Member
- Henry Bowen, Companion (Posthumously)
- Cadwell Armbrister, Companion (Posthumously)
- Sir Clement Maynard, Companion (Posthumously)
- Carlton Francis, Companion (Posthumously)
- Anthony Roberts, Companion (Posthumously)
- Sir Kendal Isaacs, Companion (Posthumously)
- Norman Solomon, Companion (Posthumously)
- J. Oswald Ingraham, Companion (Posthumously)
- Robert Hanlon Symonette, Companion (Posthumously)
- Sir Durward Knowles,Companion (Posthumously)
- Emmanuel Osadebay, Officer (Posthumously)
- Judge Neville Smith, Member (Posthumously)
Order of Distinction
- Conville Brown, Companion
- George Weech, Companion
- Neko Grant, Companion
- Raleigh Butler II, Companion
- Obie Ferguson Jr., Companion
- Vylma Thompson Curling, Companion
- Paul A. O. Rolle, Companion
- Ellison Greenslade, Companion ❖ Anthony Ferguson, Companion ❖ Paul Farquharson, Companion
- Reginald Ferguson, Companion
- Michael Major, Officer
- Ishmael Lightbourne, Officer
- Gene Sands, Officer
- Dorcena Nixon Rolle, Officer
- Nelson Clarke, Officer
- Sybil Curtis, Officer
- Celeste Lockhart, Officer
- Barbara Cartwright, Officer
- Kenrick O. Murray, Officer
- Senior Commander Amos Rolle, Companion (Posthumously)
- Captain Simpson Penn, Companion (Posthumously)
- Persis Rodgers, Officer (Posthumously)
Order of Merit
- Pastor David Burrows, Companion
- Warren Rolle, Companion
- Cecil Thompson, Companion
- Frankie Hinzey, Companion
- Bishop Ellis Farrington, Companion
- Ansel Saunders, Companion
- Romeo Farrington, Companion
- Gregory Burrows, Companion
- Austin Knowles Sr., Companion
- Paul Smith, Companion
- Bishop Lawrence Rolle, Companion
- Wellington Miller, Companion
- Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe, Companion
- Anthony Robinson, Companion
- Maurice Tynes, Companion
- Mario Donato, Companion
- Louis Hanchell, Officer
- Khandi Gibson, Officer
- Alpheus “Hawk” Finlayson, Officer
- Philip Burrows, Officer
- Sonia Cox Hamilton, Officer
- Denise Mortimer, Officer
- Pearlene Cartwright, Officer
- Elder Cora McPhee, Officer
- Francina Horton, Officer
- Gloria Ferguson, Officer
- Nathe Russell, Officer
- Andrea Gibson, Officer
- Godfrey Eneas, Officer
- Lawrence Burnside, Officer
- Mark Knowles, Officer
- Della Thomas, Officer
- Mychal Thompson, Officer
- Norman Gay, Officer
- Winfred Russell, Officer
- Oswald Moore, Officer
- Churchhill Tener-Knowles, Officer
- Leo Rolle, Officer
- Ali Culmer, Officer
- Winton “Tappy” Davis, Officer
- Andy Knowles, Officer
- Rex Burnside, Officer
- Allan Ingraham, Officer
- Ed Smith, Officer
- Phil Antonio, Officer
- Florence “Flo” Rolle, Officer
- Captain Ekron Pratt, Officer
- Rev. Dr. Alonzo Hinsey, Officer
- Frances Le’de’e, Officer
- Yonell Justilien, Officer
- Marie Ferguson, Officer
- Sonja Knowles, Officer
- Pericles Maillis, Officer
- Vernal Sands, Officer
- Cynthia Wells, Officer
- Mario Simms, Officer
- Bobby “Baylor” Fernander, Officer
- Shelton Beneby, Officer
- William Munnings, Officer
- Dr. Charles Rolle, Officer
- Angela Pratt Rolle, Officer
- Tammy Ferguson Culmer, Officer
- Edward Penn, Member
- Anita Doherty, Member (Posthumously)
- Gilbert Rolle, Officer
- Jason Albury, Member
- Randy Ferguson, Member
- Richard Manning, Member
- Jenson Burrows, Member ❖ Sean Smith, Member
- Brad Thompson, Member
- Ricky Martin, Member
- Bishop B. Wenith Davis, Companion (Posthumously)
- Edison Armbrister, Officer (Posthumously)
- Bertram “Cowboy” Musgrove, Officer (Posthumously)
- William “Yahama Bahama” Brennan, Officer (Posthumously)
- Elisha Obed, Officer (Posthumously)
- Carl Minns, Officer (Posthumously)
- Leon “Apache” Knowles, Officer (Posthumously)
- Leonard “Boston Blackie” Miller, Officer (Posthumously)
- Natasha Newbold, Officer (Posthumously)
- Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, Officer (Posthumously)
- Sloan Farrington, Officer (Posthumously)
- Cecil Cooke, Officer Posthumously)
- Rolle Gray, Officer (Posthumously)
- Billy Lowe, Officer (Posthumously)
- Sir Durward Knowles, Officer (Posthumously)
- Osborne “Ank” Rahming, Officer (Posthumously)
- Hezron Moxey, Officer (Posthumously)
- Willard Cunningham, Officer (Posthumously)
- Bishop Albert Hepburn, Member (Posthumously)
- Rev. Fr. Addison Turnquest, Member (Posthumously)
- Billy Rolle, Member (Posthumously)
- Andre Rodgers,Companion(Posthumously)
Order of Lignum Vitae
- Marine Seaman Edward Williams (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman Austin Smith (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman David Tucker (Posthumously)
- Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup (Posthumously)
Medals for Acts of Bravery
- Able Seaman Trevor Sands
- Michelet Meronard
- Captain Anthony Allens
- Force Chief Petty Officer Denzil Clarke
- Captain Whitfield Neely
- Chief Petty Officer Anthony Russell
- Chief Petty Officer Eugene Thompson
- John Wallace
- Leading Seaman Willard Saunders
- Force Chief Petty Officer Peterson James
- Samuel Mackey
- Able Seaman Cladwell Farrington Sr.
- Force Chief Petty Officer Gregory Curry
- Petty Officer Leo Kirby (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman Edward Williams (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman Austin Smith (Posthumously)
- Marine Seaman David Tucker (Posthumously)
- Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup (Posthumously)
- Chief Petty Officer Oscar Miller (Posthumously)
- Sub Lieutenant Wilfred Sands (Posthumously)
Distinguished Service Medal
- Deslene Cumberbatch-Lowe
- Melford Clarke
- Aldeka Thompson
- Beverly Thomas Taylor
- Winifred Murphy
- Patricia Bethel
- Vanderson Ferguson
- Yvonne Moncur
- Sharon Rose-Hutchinson
- Alice Inniss
- William Saunders
- Olive Minnis
- Debra Strachan
- Jeffery Forbes ❖ William Swain
- Christine Lightbourne
- Mirley Conyers
- Wellington “Butch” Johnson
- Nizamuddin Bacchus
- Helen Stubbs
- Diana Thompson
- Joshua Culmer, Sr., JP
- Cheryl Lloyd-Pinder
- Fredrick Bonaby
- Margarette Thompson Bain
- Claudine Virgil
- Francina Thurston
- Christine Newbold Saunders
- James Pinder
- Inez Spence
- Daphne Sawyer
- Nurse Linda Stuart
- Ashley Saunders
- Fabian Stuart
- Barbara Checkley
- Mark Scott
- Henry Bain
- Luden Gibson
- Francita Neely
- Charlene Curry
- Irene Rolle (Posthumously)
Badge of Honour
- Nyoschi Brown
- Kennard Mackey
- Letita Campbell Parker
- Father Don Haynes
- Lofton Neely
- Levada Ingraham
- Diane Smith
- Stephen Hanna
- Valdamae Rahming
- Maryanne Colebrooke Marshall
- Robertha Edgecombe
- Pandora Evans
- Vyreen Bain
- Sheila Blatch
- Maxwell Roberts
- Mable Stubbs
- Veronica Saunders(Posthumously) ❖ Patrick Roberts Sr.
- Vera Chase(Posthumously)
- Jacqueline Estevez
Further, His Excellency, the Governor-General, acting in accordance with Section 4: 5(a) of the National Honours (Amendment) Act, 2022 is pleased to recognize the following persons for long and exceptional service to the Governor-General:
- Evardo Cox
- Albertha Nairn
- Sheila Andrews
- Sandra Curry-Gibson
- Michelle Ferguson
- Steve Pennerman
- Beverley Wallace-Whitfield
- Bernice Bowe
- Jacklyn Murray (Posthumously)
- June Maura (Posthumously)
- Juliette Barnwell (Posthumously)
July 10th,2022
Nassau,N.P.,
Bahamas
The Bahamas, March 30, 2026 – The voice of a proud mother captured the spirit of a nation Monday night, as Bendra Rolle shared heartfelt reflections on the overwhelming Bahamian support for her son, VJ Edgecombe, during the Philadelphia 76ers matchup against the Miami Heat in Miami.
“The patriotic support and scenery at my son, VJ Edgecombe’s NBA game… was overwhelming,” Rolle said in a statement issued following the game. “The arena in Miami was lit. Bimini and the Bahamas showed up and showed out.”
Her words come amid what has already been widely described as a remarkable showing of national pride, with Bahamians traveling in large
numbers to South Florida to witness the young guard’s continued rise. For Rolle, however, the moment extended far beyond basketball.
“Beyond VJ’s basketball talents, I’m so moved by his magnetic personality and personal journey to inspire and excite an entire nation—our beloved Bahamas,” she said. “I thank God for VJ’s humility and for his hunger for greatness. He never forgets how far God has brought us.”
While the Sixers did not secure the win on the night, Edgecombe delivered a solid individual performance, finishing with 13 points and five assists. He made an early impact on the game, showing confidence and poise before foul trouble disrupted his rhythm, but still managed to leave his mark in meaningful minutes.
The game itself evolved into a cultural showcase, with Bahamian flags waving throughout the arena and chants ringing out in support of Edgecombe. Much of that presence was bolstered by a coordinated travel push from Bahamasair, which helped facilitate fan travel and added to the electric atmosphere in Miami.
Rolle said the emotional weight of the moment was deeply felt by her family, as they witnessed firsthand the unity and pride of the Bahamian people.
“Thanks and love for the tears and overwhelming joy on Monday, Bahamas,” she expressed. “The Bahamian flags were love, loud, and proud. On my own behalf, VJ, and the entire family, I am ever grateful for the indescribable experience.”
Her closing words underscored what many have described as the true victory of the night—not the final score, but the powerful display of national pride and support surrounding one of The Bahamas’ rising stars.
PHOTO BY SIXERS NATION
Bahamian pride is already on full display in South Florida, with fans arriving in strong numbers ahead of tonight’s highly anticipated NBA matchup featuring VJ Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Helping to power that movement was Bahamasair, which rolled out a strategic promotion to facilitate travel, turning the game into a full-scale national showing.
And the celebration started early.
A “Bahamas Invades Florida” pre-party over the weekend set the tone, with Bahamian fans, DJs and supporters converging in Fort
Lauderdale to build momentum ahead of the game. The event, marketed as a major cultural gathering, has spilled into Miami, where a strong Bahamian presence is expected inside the arena tonight.
This is no ordinary road game.
The Sixers enter the matchup healthy and are favoured to win, adding to the anticipation surrounding what many expect to be a standout performance by the Biminite guard.
Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been electric in his rookie season — delivering high-scoring performances and quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents.
But beyond the stats, it’s the moment that matters.
With South Florida just a short flight away, Bahamians have seized the opportunity to show up in force — flags, energy and all — transforming the game into something far bigger than basketball.
A national turnout.
A rising star.
And a night where the Bahamas is expected to be felt — from tip-off to final buzzer.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
The Bahamas, March 18, 2026 – Twenty days into the latest Middle East escalation, the United Nations is warning the conflict is spreading beyond its original battlefield, as the death toll rises and governments around the world issue urgent travel advisories — including The Bahamas.
In a March 17 statement, the UN Secretary-General’s office said the war must stop and called for all Security Council resolutions to be respected, noting with concern that countries in the Gulf continue to be targeted, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation.
The current round of fighting began February 28 with strikes involving the United States, Israel and Iranian-linked forces, followed by missile and drone attacks across Iraq, Lebanon and parts of the Gulf.
International monitors report more than 1,300 people killed in Iran alone, with additional casualties reported in Lebanon, Israel and Gulf states. U.S. officials confirm at least 13 American service members have died since the escalation began, while reports indicate additional senior Iranian military leaders were killed in recent strikes.
Despite the growing violence, several NATO countries including the United Kingdom, France and Germany have not joined offensive operations, instead calling for diplomacy to prevent the conflict from widening.
The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a travel advisory, warning Bahamian nationals to avoid travel to Israel, Palestine, Iran and Lebanon and to reconsider travel across much of the Gulf region due to the risk of sudden escalation, flight disruptions and security threats.
Officials say Bahamians already in the region should remain vigilant and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
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