Bahamas News

Bahamas Prime Minister Minnis: ‘Sir Ali’ Gave Country Full Measure of His Devotion

Published

6 years ago

November 25, 2017

#Bahamas, November 25, 2017 – Nassau – Former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament and House Speaker, Sir Arlington Griffith Butler, K.C.M.G., was remembered Friday (November 24, 2017) as a man who responded to the injustices of his times by entering the political arena to help bring about racial, economic and social equality in The Bahamas.

Sir Arlington was further remembered as a man “who lent his energy to the struggle for Majority Rule.”

At an Official Funeral at Christ Church Cathedral, George Street, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis memorialized Sir Arlington as “part of a generation of men and women who must be remembered in our history for their courage, determination and commitment to freedom and democracy.

“We have lost a Bahamian patriot and politician who loved his country and who gave his Bahamaland his full measure of devotion.”

Sir Arlington Butler was a former educator, attorney, Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister, House Speaker, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States of America, and Bahamian sporting community luminary. He died at the age of 79. Following the funeral, his remains were interred at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

Delivering condolences at the Official Funeral, Prime Minister Minnis said Sir Arlington was also a “fierce defender of the authority of the Speaker of the Honourable House of Assembly.” (Sir Arlington served as Speaker of the Honourable House of Assembly from 1972-1977.)

“He revered the House of Assembly which Sir Arthur Foulkes (former Governor-General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas) once described as the ‘centrepiece of an independent Parliamentary democracy called the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.’

“Sir Arlington had a deep respect for the institution and its traditions. He had an extraordinary knowledge of Parliamentary procedure and the rights of Parliament, steeped in ancient history,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

“He was a fierce defender of the authority and independence of the Speaker,” the Prime Minister added.

Arlington Griffith Butler was a former educator who left the profession to contest a seat in the House of Assembly in 1968. Four years later, he was elected Speaker of the Honourable House of Assembly. After parting ways with the governing party, Sir Arlington ran unsuccessfully in the General Elections of 1977, 1982 and 1987.

Sir Arlington returned to the House of Assembly following the 1992 General Elections, and was made a senior Member of Cabinet by Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham. Sir Arlington was subsequently appointed Bahamas Ambassador to the United States of America, and in 1996, received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his public service and many contributions to national development over several decades.

Sir Arlington was also (to date) the longest serving President of The Bahamas Olympic Association.

“His presence, exuberant spirit and fellowship will be missed,” Prime Minister Minnis said. “We honour Sir Arlington Butler for his service and love of country. With grateful hearts, we thank him for his many and diverse contributions to our Commonwealth.”

By: Matt Maura

Photo captions

Header: Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis, conveying condolences.

1st insert: Official Funeral of Sir Arlington Butler, November 24, 2017 at Christ Church Cathedral. In first pew are Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling and Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis.

2nd insert: The Bahamian Flag, presented to Sir Arlington’s widow, Lady Hazel Butler, by Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration the Hon. Brent Symonette, at the graveside.

BIS Photos/Peter Ramsay

Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

The Bahamas’ economy is in good standing according to reports from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute which released the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Series. They indicate that quarterly GDP trends for 2023 saw increases compared to 2022, a sign of recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic.

The most significant increase was 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023, and the industries responsible for the growth include Accommodations and food, construction and Arts.

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

Bahamas News

Get your laugh on, March On show coming to Turks and Caicos with box office at IGA Friday and Saturday

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 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 this weekend from May 3 to 5.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew.

“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 attention.”

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.

A ticket booth will be set up from today, Friday May 3 in the foyer of IGA grocery store beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and then again all day on Saturday, allowing residents to purchase with cash.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. Then the full team returns on Friday, May 11 for the actual showing at 8 pm and their two showings on Saturday at 4pm and 8 pm. The venue is Brayton Hall, Providenciales 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.

Tickets are only $60 for general seating and $75 for VIP seating.

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 stoplaughter, 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.”