Bahamas News

BAHAMAS: Public Service Retirees Lauded as ‘True Nation Builders’

Published

6 years ago

November 3, 2018

#Nassau, November 3, 2018 – Bahamas – Recent retirees of The Bahamas Public Service were Thursday (November 1) lauded as “true nation builders” by Minister of the Public Service and National Insurance, the Hon. Brensil Rolle.

Addressing a Retirees Recognition and Presentation of Awards of Excellence Ceremony for almost 600 Public Service Retirees held on the Lower Grounds of Government House, Mount Fitzwilliam, Minister Rolle said there is no higher calling in terms of a career, than one in the public service as public service employees are afforded “an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and improve our great nation.”

Hosted by Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Chancellor of the Societies of Honours, the exercise was held to salute the 543 persons who retired from the Public Service during the 2016-2017 (316 persons), and 2017-2018 (227) – periods. The honourees included personnel from law enforcement and national security, accounting and finance, education, health, youth development, social services, civil aviation, the postal service and many others.

“We are assembled here this morning to express our gratitude and appreciation to our distinguished retirees for the varied contributions they have made over many years,” Minister Rolle said.

“I am honored to offer remarks at this special ceremony to salute the tenacity of those who have served and served well. I wish to commend you all for being true nation builders. We honour you for your roles as facilitators, pacesetters and standard bearers. Your legacies will no doubt continue to inspire and serve as a beacon for countless other public officers.”

Minister Rolle said the Retirees Recognition Ceremony was one of the major highlights of the 18^th National Public Service Week of activities – a time “when we pause to acknowledge the accomplishments that have brought us to this point in our national development.”

Other activities included a Fun/Run/Walk and Health Screening; Mock Parliamentary Debate; and a Courtesy Call on Her Excellency, the Most Honourable Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Chancellor of the Societies of Honours, by the 2018-2019 Public Service Officer of the Year nominees.

A National T-Shirt Day and Float Parade were scheduled for Friday, November 1, along with the start of the volleyball competition, which will conclude on Saturday, November 3.

The special week ends on Sunday, November 4, with an Awards Luncheon and Announcement of the 2018/2019 National Public Service Officer of the Year scheduled for the Imperial Ballroom, Atlantis, Paradise Island.

“With passion and dedication, public service officers render their services in education, law enforcement, national defense, healthcare, tourism, technology and other occupations. No matter the pressures they face or the challenges before them, their commitments ensure that we receive the services we need,” Minister Rolle said.

“Not only do we give praise to our public officers for their invaluable contributions, but we hail those who have devoted their entire lives to the growth of our beautiful country – the retiring stalwarts of the Public Service.

“Thirty years of doing anything is an accomplishment, but serving more than thirty years in service to your country commands our respect,” Minister Rolle added.

By: Matt Maura

Release: BIS

Photo Caption:

BIS Photos/Letisha Henderson

Ralph McKinney, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, right with Minister Brensil Rolle.

Dorothy Ward-Johnson, Trained Teacher for 49 years of service in the Public Service (right), receives recognition from the Governor General and Minister Rolle.

Ministry of the Public Service and National Insurance 18th National Public Service Week Retirees’ Recognition Ceremony under the theme “The Public Service…Igniting a Positive Change for Future Generations” held on the Lower Grounds, Mount Fitzwilliam, Government House on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

Published

1 day 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.”