Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 28, 2020 (SKNIS): Minister of Social Security, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, has saluted the St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board for the invaluable assistance it has provided to 214 children under its High School Scholarship Programme.
The minister made the statement on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at a ceremony where twenty-one persons were inducted into the programme.
Minister Hamilton stated that over the past 37 years, the scholarships not only provided “direct assistance to the students and parents of deserving scholars, who may not without this type of assistance realize their fullest potential, but would also propel our Nation into unchartered educational spaces, building our human capital index, and collaterally our Social Security fund.”
He cited several prominent personalities within the society who were recipients of a scholarship award.
“To date, I am advised that the Social Security Board has invested over $2 million in education, and can boast hearty alumni of over 200 persons including Nevis’ Premier Honourable Mark Brantley, Ms Maritza Bowry, Mr. Mark Caesar, Mr Leslie Sugarbowl Morton, Mr Khale Thomas, Ms Tishanna Hazel, Mr Miguel Thomas, who is the new Principal of the Verchilds High School, and of course there are many others,” Minister Hamilton stated.
He continued, “As Minister of Social Security, I am extremely proud of the seed that was sown, watered and the tree that now bears fruits of many kinds. Students, you too can continue to make us all proud if you commit yourself to the challenges ahead. I assure you that in my role, I will ensure that the Scholarship Committee and all involved value you as a priority as I certainly do. That you will be provided with the tools and resources required for success as we build on this investment, I can tell you confidently that my government is committed to excellence and success, and you have in fact been afforded an excellent opportunity to succeed.”
The minister reflected on the COVID-19 global pandemic and encouraged the 21 students to hold on to the promise that there is a better tomorrow awaiting them.
The Susanna Lee High School induction ceremony was also attended by Minister of Education, Honourable Jonel Powell, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, William V. Hodge. The scholarship programme was established in 1983.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 28, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – On Sunday, September 27, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris told nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis who reside in the diaspora that regardless of where they live now, they too can still play an important role in the development of their homeland.
Prime Minister Harris was at the time speaking during a historic St. Kitts and Nevis Diaspora Virtual Forum, which also featured participation from Deputy Prime Minister the Honourable Shawn Richards and Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley. The forum was organized by the St. Kitts and Nevis Tri-State Association, in collaboration with the Diaspora Unit.
Prime Minister Harris indicated that in recent times, many Kittitians and Nevisians would have benefited from remittances from nationals in the diaspora. He added, “As we look to build that springboard for the next chapter of our development and advancement, we call on you, and invite you to remit your expertise, talents, knowledge and networks to assist our continuing efforts to improve St. Kitts and Nevis on every development indicator.”
The prime minister also lauded persons in the diaspora who have achieved and excelled in many different sectors, including artistry, international business, technology, medicine, scholastic and scientific research, politics and diplomacy.
“We have citizens holding senior and important positions and posts in multinational corporations, foreign governments, international bodies, universities, and even the entertainment capital of the world – Hollywood. We will count on your support and advice as we develop our country. It is exactly these expertise, talents and world experiences that we would wish to harness. In so doing, we hope to solidify our position as one of the best places to live, the best run, and best managed small island state anywhere in the world,” said Dr. Harris.
Prime Minister Harris singled out several outstanding nationals in the Diaspora who continue to contribute their ideas and talents to nation-building. These include His Excellency Dr. Everson W. Hull, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), who is helping to develop policies and programmes for pay for performance in St. Kitts and Nevis; Dr. Frank Laws who has been helping with the development of an App to be used in the fight against COVID-19 and enhance our contact tracing capability. He is also assisting in the build out of a state-of-the-art Cardiac Unit at the JNF Hospital; Dr. Wycliffe Baird in Canada for work on policies relating to the establishment of a Cannabis Industry; and prayer warriors like Nurse Sylvia Garnette.
“The truth is, no country can ever reach its full potential without the participation of each and every person in our society and economy. We invite our citizens abroad to make their continuing contributions to the onerous task of nation building of our beloved country – St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Harris.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 22, 2020 (SKNIS): Congratulatory messages continue to pour in for the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis on attaining 37 years of Independence.
Messages were received from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and addressed to His Excellency S. W. Tapley Seaton, Governor-General and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mark Brantley.
In addressing Sir Tapley, Director-General of FAO, Qu Dongyu wrote: “On the occasion of your National Day, may I extend to Your Excellency in the name of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and on my behalf best wishes for health and happiness. May the people of your country enjoy peace and prosperity.”
The director-general also wrote to Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Mark Brantley, expressing the need to further advance the relationship between St. Kits and Nevis and FAO. He noted, “I sincerely hope that the links between your country and FAO will be further strengthened for the enhanced welfare of the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis.”
Similarly, Secretary-General of the ACS, Dr. June Soomer, wrote to the Honourable Mark Brantley expressing best wishes for the “maintenance of peace and prosperity” for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Reflecting on St. Kitts and Nevis’ involvement with ACS, Dr. Soomer further wrote: “It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to acknowledge the valued contribution of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the work of the Association as a Member State. I sincerely hope that we will continue to work together to achieve common development goals and overcome the shared challenges that our region confronts,” the letter further stated.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 18, 2020 (SKNIS): The President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, joined the long list of world leaders and other prominent figures in extending blessings and congratulations to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on its 37th Anniversary of Independence – September 19, 2020.
In a letter to the His Excellency S. W. Tapley Seaton, Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez wrote:
“On the occasion of the celebration of the 37th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, I convey warm congratulations to you and all the people.”
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez assured Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris that there is a desire to enhance the working relationship between the countries.
“On the occasion of the celebration of the 37th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, I convey warm congratulations to you and all the people and government of your country, further reaffirming the willingness to expand our friendly and cooperative relations.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mark Brantley also received best wishes from Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who confirmed Cuba’s intentions to further strengthen mutual relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of Cuba.
“I am pleased to convey warm congratulations to you on the occasion of the 37th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, further reaffirming the willingness to continue to expand our bilateral relations.”
St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of Cuba established diplomatic relations on May 10, 1995.
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