‘
MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
ST ANNE’S MP Adrian White criticised the Davis administration’s approach to recognising Palestine as a sovereign state, saying a national discussion should have preceded its decision. “I was blindsided when we simply issued a statement without ministerial communication on the recognition of Palestine as a state,” he said in the House of Assembly yesterday.
THE Bahamas moved closer to legalising cannabis for medical and religious use while decriminalising possession of small amounts of marijuana yesterday when the Davis administration tabled a long-awaited compendium of bills in the House of Assembly. The 11 bills were mainly identical to the ones the administration released for consultation last year. However, notable changes have been made to the religious use of cannabis and the role of pharmacists.
SEE PAGE THREE
MINISTER of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville speaks during a sitting of the House of Assembly yesterday where he tabled 11 bills related to proposed marijuana legislation.
Are ‘naysayers’ aware of the state of healthcare in Nassau, asks DavisBy KEILE CAMPBELL kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
AFTER many residents packed a town hall on Tuesday to oppose the Davis administration’s plans for a new hospital, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis asked yesterday if
“naysayers” are aware of the struggling state of healthcare infrastructure in New Providence.
Mr Davis said “everyone is up in arms” about the construction of a new hospital even though the Princess Margaret Hospital was built “70 years ago” and became “inadequate” as the population grew and “ills continued to plague our country”.
“I know that they are confused,” he said, “and they are baffled because the things that we’re able to do
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama recorded its second murder for the year when the body of a man wearing an ankle bracelet was found in a remote area of a Lucaya Subdivision on Wednesday morning. Police said the body was found shortly after 9am in
an unfinished building on Bronze Drive, off Midshipman Road.
Chief Superintendent of Police Darrel Weir, Sr, the officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, reported police were alerted to a body found inside a house that was under construction.
CSP Weir said officers
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
MULTIPLE Bahamians have praised the good character of FTX’s former local head in supporting his plea that he receive a jail term “of no more than 18 months” for violating US law. An ex-attorney general, local aviation entrepreneur and former Bahamian staff have all supplied glowing testimonies on Ryan Salame, the ex-FTX Digital Markets chief, who is due to be sentenced by the southern New York federal court for breaches of US campaign finance laws and operating an unlicensed money transmission business.
The bills also disclose for the first time the cost of licences under the cannabis regime. Initial licence fees would range from $1,000 to $5,000, while annual licence fees would range from $500 to $14,712, depending on the license type.
Members of the Rastafarian community had criticised the previous draft bills for limiting cannabis use to a tabernacle or place of worship, with many practitioners saying it is uncommon for the substance to be used in such areas.
Under the latest bills, people unaffiliated with a Rastafarian organisation can get an individual licence permitting them to consume cannabis in a secured area in a private residence as a sacrament. Rastafarian organisations must be incorporated as non-profit organisations to obtain a religious organisation licence.
Rastafarians who get an individual licence cannot use the substance in a public place, distribute or sell it to another person, or possess more than 30 grams at any one time. Similar rules apply to Rastafarian organisations.
Unlike the draft bills, the revised legislation guarantees a position on the Bahamas Cannabis Board to a member of the Rastafarian faith. That board would manage the Bahamas Cannabis Authority, overseeing all aspects of cannabis regulation, including creating policies, issuing licenses and ensuring law compliance. The board would comprise
representatives from government, medical and pharmaceutical professions, agricultural, business, and finance sectors, academia, and the faith-based and civil society communities. The revised legislation allow medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis to patients from other countries without performing in-person medical assessments as long as that patient presents a medical cannabis card from a recognised jurisdiction like Canada, Australia, Barbados and several states in the United States of America. Under the cannabis regime, licences include a cultivation licence to permit the growing, harvesting and packaging of cannabis; a transport licence to deliver cannabis within the country; a manufacturing licence for the manufacturing and packaging of cannabis and cannabis accessories; a retail licence to sell cannabis and cannabis accessories for medical, scientific research and religious purposes; a religious licence; and an analytical testing licence.
Cultivation, retail, transport and religious use licences would be reserved for Bahamian citizens 21 years or older or companies that are one hundred per cent beneficially owned by one or more Bahamian citizens.
Analytical testing licences, manufacturing licences and research licences could be obtained by entities for which one or more Bahamian citizens beneficially owns at least 30 per cent of the company.
The initial fees for cultivation, religious and
transport licences are $1,000.
For manufacturing, retail and research licences, the initial fee is $3,000.
For an analytical testing licence, the initial fee is $5000.
Non-refundable religious use annual licence fees are $1000 for organisations and $500 for individuals.
For cultivation purposes, the non-refundable annual licence fee is $2944 for nurseries, $9,800 for microcultivation and $12,600 for standard cultivation.
The non-refundable annual fees for manufacturing, analytical testing, research, transport and retail licences are $14,712, $7,356, $7356, $9,800 and $14,712, respectively. The transport licence fee of $14,712 applies for up to three vehicles. For each additional vehicle, the fee is $7,400.
For licences, there are administrative fees for security vetting, electronic database and tracking software service and inspection fees; the costs range from $2,400 to $200.
Key provisions that are unchanged in the new bills include that those found with more than five hundred grams of dried cannabis would be presumed to possess the substance intending to supply it to others and could face a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both. Possessing cannabis with the intent to supply it to a minor could carry a stiffer penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment. Those who supply, sell or distribute cannabis could face various penalties
depending on whether they are convicted on information or through summary conviction. In the first instance, they could face a fine of $100,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both. For a summary conviction, they could be fined up to $50,000, imprisoned up to five years, or both.
Under the legislation, it would also be unlawful to promote cannabis or cannabis accessories.
Legislation amending the Dangerous Drug Act to reclassify cannabis as a controlled substance and not a “dangerous drug” is part of the compendium of bills.
“This change aligns our national laws with evolving global perspectives on cannabis, acknowledging
its medical value based on current scientific evidence,” Dr Darville said after tabling the bills in the House of Assembly yesterday.
He said the legislation represented a thoughtful and balanced approach to introducing a new medical solution to our healthcare landscape.
He said the bills were a “beacon of hope” for countless Bahamians who are battling cancer and need alternative treatments for pain management and other related issues.
“These patients look to us, their elected representatives, to make decisions that can dramatically improve the quality of their lives,” he said. “They trust us to act with courage, guided by compassion and
and get done, and they still can’t understand how we’re doing it, but don’t let their confusion blind them to the goal of what we’re trying to achieve and that is to bring relief to our people.”
“When you’re criticising what we’re trying to get done for people, you don’t think our people deserve a state-of-the-art hospital to provide care for them?”
The 50-acre facility will be located off the New Providence Highway between the six-legged roundabout and the Saunders Beach roundabout. The 200-bed speciality hospital will cater to women and children and feature a neonatal unit, imaging services, a morgue, pathology services, and telemedicine.
At a town hall meeting on Tuesday, residents in the surrounding area of North Bethel Highway expressed concern about noise pollution, increased traffic, and declining property values.
Yesterday, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert
Minnis said he was alarmed that the China Export-Import Bank would fund the hospital. The funding will come through a 20-year loan at a two per cent interest rate. The project will involve Chinese workers.
Dr Minnis said the hospital was “the wrong project, in the wrong place, with the wrong price, the wrong financing and the wrong workers”.
“The truth is that the Chinese will be calling all the big shots on this project, and any Bahamian workers and perhaps a few small local subcontractors will be window dressing,” he said.
“This is a bad, terrible deal for the Bahamian people. The PLP is selling out the Bahamian people again. How many Chinese workers will build this Chinese hospital in The Bahamas? Since the Bahamian people are paying this loan through their taxes, that means the Bahamian people are paying the salaries of these workers.”
Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville emphasised in response that the
project will involve “a combination of foreign and Bahamian labour”.
He noted that similar agreements between the government and Chinese contractors are “nothing new to The Bahamas,” adding that previous Free National Movement (FNM) administrations pursued similar arrangements.
Dr Minnis noted the project will be on land owned by private entities like Arawak Homes and questioned how much is being paid for the land.
“The minister of health has said repeatedly that they have some kind of handshake understanding that the government will either pay or swap land with Arawak Homes, but the Bahamian people need to know the answer to this question,” he said.
Dr Darville said the Ministry of Finance is negotiating to acquire the land.
National Security Minister Wayne Monroe said Chinese-centred criticism amounted to xenophobia.
“The United States Treasury owes the Chinese $797.7 billion,” he
informed by evidence.”
“Let us be clear: the path we propose today with the introduction of medical cannabis is one marked by rigorous controls, free of political colours and a deep commitment to public health. But it is also a path paved with stories of individual mothers and fathers who might finally receive the relief they desperately need. It is these personal stories, these individual faces, that must guide our actions.”
“Licensing is structured to prioritise Bahamian ownership, with provisions ensuring that significant control remains in the hands of Bahamian nationals, fostering local entrepreneurship and economic benefits across the country.”
said. “The UK foreign debt is owned 15 per cent by China. And, in fact, the chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK, as long ago as 2014, was issuing actual debt in Chinese currency. So this device of trying to dangle xenophobia, which is really a populist stance, isn’t really becoming.”
Mr Munroe said the administration asked the US Export-Import Bank to fund the project, but that organisation “didn’t come up with anything that could be acceptable.”
He added: “We asked all of our friends, and at the end of the day, we got the best rate with a fiveyear holiday on payments upon completion.”
“This cry to xenophobia is misplaced. Marco City says, you know, you have to have greater greater aspirations. It’s all right to have aspirations, you know, talks about social advancement, changing a corner. It’s very good to have high and lofty aspirations. At some point, however, the rubber must meet the road. Thinking must be transformed into doing. The journey of a million miles begins with one step.”
OVER 100 people at a job fair on Saturday applied to have minor criminal offences expunged from their police records, surprising officials who did not expect such numbers.
Ultimately, only 80 of those who applied were eligible. While many applicants were first-time offenders, those who were not were turned away.
Many applicants sought to erase infractions from the COVID-19 pandemic era, such as breaking curfew. Some also sought to remove minor stealing or fraud
offences from their records.
Families of All Murder
Victims hosted a job fair last Saturday at the RM Baily Park that offered free legal and immigration consultation and other opportunities.
FOAM president Khandi Gibson said the Rehabilitation of the First Offenders committee team was among the partners that participated in the fair. “We were not expecting that many people,” said Ronald Campbell, chairman of the Rehabilitation of the First Offenders Committee. “We ran out of applications. We had to go back to the office to get more applications because people were anxious.”
The applicants will receive a date to appear before the Rehabilitation of First Offenders committee. Mr Campbell said it can take up to five to six months to expunge a record. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Amendment) 2015, people who have committed murder, manslaughter, treason, armed robbery, rape or possessed dangerous drugs with the intent to supply cannot have their records expunged. After five years, however, most others are eligible if they are first-time offenders or were younger than 21 at the time of their first conviction.
AFTER a Bahamian complained that the morgue in Bimini keeping his father’s body was not functional, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday that mechanical issues at the facility are being addressed.
A Facebook user, Stuart Cliffinique, complained that the morgue had not been functioning for two days and that a bad scent emitted from the place, suggesting something was wrong. He said he was denied the
chance to view his father’s body and was told by doctors that “a big piece of ice” was put on the body.
Dr Darville told reporters yesterday: “I spoke directly to my nurse in charge, and the post that you’re reading is not completely accurate, but for us in the ministry, we don’t go behind social media, we continue to press on to ensure that we repair, but all of these are mechanical equipment and sometimes they do fail.
“That circumstance is unfortunate because the morgue was working and someone else died and
we found out that it had a mechanical –– I don’t know if it’s a power surge –– but I can tell you my director of facilities was on top of that, and the residents of Bimini can rest assured that we intend to stay focused and to do exactly what we need to do to protect lives and to secure their loved ones in the event of death.”
Dr Darville said the morgue continually suffers power surge issues, which compromise the freezer’s system. He said all islands have alternative, temporary locations to hold bodies until they are transferred to New Providence.
A FORENSIC patholo -
gist said in the Coroner’s Court yesterday that Aliko Collins, a man police killed in 2017, died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Collins, 21, was shot and killed by an offduty officer in Pinewood Gardens.
The inquest into his killing continued before acting Coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux.
Now-retired Superin -
tendent Basil Collie, the subject of this inquest, alleged that an armed Collins accosted him on Bamboo Blvd in the early
morning hours of February 8, 2017, causing him to fatally shoot him. Dr Caryn Sands said she performed an autopsy on the deceased on February 15, 2017. She said a bullet entered the deceased’s body from the right side of his head before penetrating his skull and brain. She elaborated that the gunshot wound caused bleeding and bruising to his brain.
Dr Sands said she recovered a deformed copper bullet jacket from the wound path. She said there was no evidence of close-range discharge on the deceased’s body.
Inspector Henrington Curry, a firearm expert,
said the eight 9mm firearm bullet casings and fired bullets recovered from the scene of the shooting were fired from the same 9mm Baretta pistol.
The officer said this police-issued weapon was tested and found capable of firing.
Inspector Jake Petty of the police armoury said Superintendent Collie passed his firearm and shotgun certifications in the 80th and 90th percentiles.
Inspector Petty also said that officers are trained to use deadly force if they are faced with a lethal threat.
Under questioning from Coroner Deveaux, Inspector Petty said officers are
trained to meet a threat with the same level of force presented to them.
He told the jury he believed deadly force was needed in Collie’s case.
Inspector Nadia Johnson of the firearm licensing unit testified that there were no records of the deceased being registered to have a gun or ammunition.
In previous testimony from an officer who collected evidence from the scene, there was no mention of a gun belonging to the deceased being retrieved from the scene.
K Melvin Munroe represented Superintendent Collie.
Angelo Whitfield marshalled the evidence.
from page one
Mr White noted that some G-20 countries, including the United States of America, have not recognised Palestine.
“Our traditional allies, Madam Speaker, are countries that we haven’t aligned our position with, and I find that on such an important international issue, now it’s a national issue,” he said.
“We’re attending the UN meetings and we’re making decisions on them, but the fact that it has an importance internationally doesn’t diminish the fact that it has importance nationally, and
the people of this nation, Madam Speaker, should be informed I think on a more regular basis on why some of these international decisions are being made, why we are agreeing one way or the other.”
The Bahamas joined at least 141 other countries earlier this month to recognise Palestine and was the last CARICOM country to do so.
Global recognition of Palestine has grown since war broke out in Gaza after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 35,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the
hostilities began, including over 15,000 children and 10,000 women. The war has led to a humanitarian crisis, including the collapse of Palestine’s healthcare system. It is unclear whether Mr White’s view reflects the official position of the Free National Movement.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield, reacting to the administration’s decision, told The Tribune earlier this month that the “government has probably taken a principled position on the view of statehood of Palestine, which governments are wont to do”.
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter
SOCIAL Services Min-
ister Myles Laroda said his ministry is working to support families facing hard times.
His comment came as an International Day of Families forum was hosted at the National Training Agency. The forum included experts who spoke about the impact of violence on families, strategies for strengthening families with disabilities, and the impact of climate change on families.
“In order for us to strengthen our families, we must embrace each other’s differences and show more love,” Mr Laroda said. “Everyone
has an important role to play in their family unit. It does not matter if they are young, old, male, female, able-bodied or have a disability, have a sound mind or have a trouble mind they all need to feel included.”
Department of Gender and Family Affairs deputy permanent secretary Lyn Symonette said more must be done so families are not afraid or embarrassed to seek help.
Kalesa Simmons, senior officer of the National Parenting Programme unit within the Department of Social Services, said the unit offers parenting and anger management classes.
She said the programme has seen numerous parents come in for assistance after a reference from a loved one or following a court
order.
She said she has seen a lot of parents whose children have had trouble with the law.
“If the child or juvenile is charged before the juvenile panel, then usually the panel would send the parents to us,” she said. “We have a lot of those cases coming through to us.”
Parents receive twelve weeks of training focused on living a healthy lifestyle, parental roles, managing finances, and dealing with their traumas.
Ms Simmons said 38 parents have graduated from the programme recently, noting the programme’s impact on people’s lives.
“We are finding that we are having more and more people who are selfreferred,” she said.
Adults
Groups
Children
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207
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IT has taken a long time – but the bills to deal with the decriminalisation of marijuana, and to allow medical marijuana were tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday.
There has been much talk about this legislation – and yet, not always a great deal of consultation. The head of a pharmacist association, for example, talks in today’s Tribune of how his association offered its thoughts on the legislation, but never got a reply from government.
It is a difficult area. We have seen ourselves at The Tribune how marijuana has affected people’s lives. While use of small amounts may be decriminalised, nor should it be encouraged.
Medical marijuana certainly does merit exploration. There have been many who have found that it has made an appreciable difference, especially in reducing pain in cases such as cancer or multiple sclerosis, or arthritis.
Where such a difference can be proven to make a difference in people’s lives, it should certainly be an option that is available.
There is of course a great difference between medical treatment and recreational use.
The discussion about these bills will continue, we are quite sure, including such elements as to how it applies to followers of the Rastafarian faith.
What we hope does not get lost in the rush towards these changes is that the cost is not forgotten.
And by cost we mean the social cost, the health cost and sometimes the mental cost.
Heavy marijuana use can have significant negative effects – including mental health issues such as schizophrenia or depression.
Now, in saying this, it should of course be said that other things can have negative effects that are quite legal – we have seen too often the damage caused by alcohol on people’s lives too.
Yet we have long accepted alcohol as part of our society while not perhaps examining closely enough how we can rectify some of the damage it causes.
In making a change with marijuana, there is an opportunity to put protections in place from the outset.
In The Bahamas, we are not terribly good at tackling issues of mental health, and drug addiction. We should be better. We should understand that treatment and remedy is necessary. This is where decriminalisation has its benefits – if we encourage people towards treatment rather than tossing them in a prison cell at the first opportunity.
Can we walk that fine balance between withholding excessive punishment and avoiding encouraging something that might not be to the benefit of the individual or society at large? We do not have a good track record of walking that walk.
So we hope there is a thorough discussion of this set of bills. We hope that those who feel they have not been adequately consulted are listened to, and carefully. This is a moment of change. Will it be for the better? Or the worse? We must tread carefully.
EDITOR, The Tribune.
A SPECIAL memorial service was held at the Montagu Beach and Park for Mr Jessie Emmanuel in front of the Fort where he sat each morning.
Mr Jessie Emmanuel was for many years a faithful and important member of the Montague Beach & park Community. Jessie was by all measures an unsung hero.
He would arrive early every morning, set out his towel in front of Fort Montague and begin to interact with other members of the community, be they friend, family or stranger.
Jessie was a kind, quiet man always willing to lend a hand to support anyone in need.
You see, the hundreds of walkers, joggers, swimmers, fitness-trainers and their clients, vagrants and homeless, photo-takers, sunrise watchers or sundown romantics, and the tourists that enjoy beaching it together support Montague Beach and Park and its fragile environment. Together they form a vital team of protectors
for this JEM that many call the Montague Beach Park. They share their views, their music, salutations as well as their concerns about the issues that continue to face Montague Beach its historic fort and green spaces. They unselfishly and consistently support the dunes, the beach and the overall environment with their varied skills and reminders to policymakers. For example, two of his family members continued to daily troll the beach and collect the garbage and detritus off the ocean that otherwise would be unattended. They espouse o’down home values in their good morning and good evening greetings. They capture their memories with their cell phones and at times comment on others who do not know, or care to share the traditional greetings customary to our people and culture. While Jessie left this world, it was while he was at this, His special place that he loved so much, while practicing his ingrained belief to love
and help others wherever and whenever he could.
In that simple task of helping to change a tire for another he quietly passed away just being Jessie!
Jessie will always be a symbol for all those who are committed to making things better for the tens of thousands who reap the benefits of their volunteerism at the Montague Beach- Park every day without even a thought to themselves.
As two ambulances and police officers arrived and the doctor attempted to revive Jessie, there was a quiet, prayerful throng who hoped, wept, and mourned for this Giant of a man. Others, yet coming to terms with his passing seemed to be grateful for being with him in his special place one last time.
Perhaps his passing will motivate others to make the Montague Beach park experience all that it could be and so much more.
BARBARA JEAN Nassau, May 13, 2024.
EDITOR, The Tribune. IT IS with great sadness and sincere sympathy that I write this tribute to one of our most renowned and iconic Bahamian sons, A Loftus Roker. May 13th, 2024, will be a date in Bahamian history when we lost one of our greatest “Bahamian Freedom Fighters”, A Loftus Roker. He was born in Delectable Bay, Acklins in 1935 to Elkin and Delores Theodora Roker.
In a recent statement about Mr. Roker by the Hon Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, he said: “What an incredible journey... from a childhood in Acklins to participating in the events that altered the nation’s course and delivered the country’s national sovereignty”. A Loftus Roker was one who “championed the cause of freedom for our nation as a result of his fearless conviction and love of country and love of fellow man. Mr. Roker became a voice for our national Parliament,” said Glenys Hanna-Martin during the occasion of the renaming of a school in his honour last year in Acklins.
Mr Roker responded by
saying he was “humbled by the gesture”. He said that over the years, he had declined other designations, including being knighted, but was honoured to accept the renaming of the school in his name.
A Loftus Roker, one of the framers of the terms of the Constitution of The Bahamas, had a very long and fruitful political career.
Among other ministerial posts, he was appointed Minister of National Security by then Prime Minister Lynden Pindling in 1985.
During his tenure, the issue of illegal immigration was aggressively addressed. He considered himself to be a “black nationalist who believed in black leadership”, excerpt from an article published recently on the occasion of the renaming of the school in Acklins.
I have had the pleasure of talking with Mr Loftus Roker over the years. He had a wealth of knowledge and history about our modern Bahamas.
As one of the pioneers of
the Majority Rule Movement era, he believed and advocated for the Bahamianisation Policy established by the Progressive Liberal Party in the early 1970’s. Bahamian ownership in all aspects of our economy. He believed that no foreigner ought to be given a work permit to work in The Bahamas if a qualified Bahamian was available and desired to acquire such a job. A Loftus Roker was a giant of a man who loved his country enough to fight for the rights of all Bahamians throughout his professional life. He will be missed greatly by all Bahamians, especially by the workers in our nation.
On behalf of the executive officers and members of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Trade Union Congress (CBTUC), and my wife Queenie, I express sincere condolences to Mrs Ruby Louise Roker and the entire Roker family on the loss of our Bahamian National Hero, A Loftus Roker. May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace.
OBIE FERGUSON TUC president May 14, 2024
EDITOR, The Tribune.
THE photos told the story. Recent photos in the print media showed Michael Pintard flanked by high ranking officials and other members of the FNM, which was clearly not the case for the Minnis’ team. Dr Minnis claimed that he is running for party leader and hopefully prime minister so that he could finish his political agenda. He and others continue to make the claim that his tenure as prime minister was disrupted by hurricane Dorian and the pandemic. But it goes deeper than that. Perhaps if Dr Minnis did not call an early election, he would have had more time to get more things done.
The PLP is hoping that Dr Minnis is returned as FNM leader. The PLP’s worst nightmare is a united FNM led by Michael Pintard. Judging by the
empty bravado and illogical utterances emanating from certain quarters by PLP operatives, other self-anointed experts, and pseudo-political gurus across the board generally, the PLP would like nothing more than to sow further seeds of disorder and/or attempt to throw sands into the gears of the FNM’s machinery if it were possible. If it were up to them, Minnis would become defacto FNM leader overnight. Its fear disguised as courage. A classic case of whistling past the graveyard. Judging from the looks of things, it would appear that Dr Minnis’ bid for leader seems dead on arrival. Perhaps Dr Minnis should bow to reality, admit the inevitable and formulate an exit strategy for the sake of party unity. Minnis’ continued candidacy, which is openly supported by some PLP’s, provide
much grounds for wild speculations, conspiracy theories and much grists for the political rumour mill. While Dr Minnis has a right to challenge for party leadership, and while we are living in a functional democracy, it is also true that the line between democracy and disunity has become blurred. To deny this reality would be a detriment to the FNM. It could perhaps be helpful if someone in Dr Minnis’ camp would be honest with him and tell him - “It ain’t ga happen”. Maybe Dr Minnis has a hidden agenda which appears more and more to be the case. If Dr Minnis is re-elected as FNM leader, FNM’s will not vote. Who came up with the phrase “If I can’t have it no one will?”
ZEPHANIAH
BURROWS
Nassau, May 6, 2024.
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A NEW medical centre will be constructed on Abaco, a move officials say will help expand healthcare services on the island.
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the new centre would be a walkin clinic and urgent care facility that offers essential medical services to Abaco residents.
His comments came during a debate in the House of Assembly yesterday on a resolution allowing the government to sell 1.35 acres of Crown land to Abaco Medi Centre to construct the health facility.
The government is selling the land for $125,000.
“The new Abaco Medi Centre will be a walkin clinic and urgent care facility providing essential medical services to the Abaco community,” Mr Davis said yesterday.
“Currently, they employ the only emergency medicine specialist on the island. Facilitating their growth will mean an expansion in the selection of healthcare services and an improved ability to meet the healthcare needs of those in Abaco and the surrounding cays.” Plans to build a new medical facility on Abaco come as
AN American tourist was fined yesterday after admitting to assaulting two police officers and a guest at Breezes Resort this week.
Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Gaisha Johnson, 30, of Delaware, with assault, resisting arrest, disorderly behaviour, deceit of a public
officer, damage and two counts of assaulting a police officer. Johnson reportedly assaulted Margo Smith and acted in a disorderly manner while intoxicated at the resort on May 13. She also allegedly caused damage to a hotel cupboard door valued at $1,500. When police arrived at the resort, the defendant reportedly gave a fake name to Inspector
Lynette Chase to evade custody. She reportedly assaulted Inspector Chase and Sergeant Karrison Lewis while resisting arrest.
After pleading guilty to the charges, the defendant was fined $4,500 and risks three months in prison if she fails to pay. She was also ordered to pay $1,500 in compensation or risk an additional three months in custody.
Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
Yesterday, Mr Davis said this latest investment in Abaco shows that the island’s “brightest days are still ahead.”
“When we have investors making room for expansion and growth like we see with the new Abaco Medic Centre building, it is a clear signal to the world that Abaco is resilient, thriving and fully expecting to see robust growth,” he added.
Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he supported the resolution, but not the land’s price.
“It’s a bit too much,” he said. “I think it should’ve been $40,000, if not less, but I support the continued development of Abaco and its health sector.”
St Anne’s MP Adrian White called for more details on the project and asked how the government acquired the land.
A MAN was granted bail yesterday after he was accused of having dangerous drugs earlier this week.
Magistrate Raquel
Whyms charged Donnie Saunders, 38, with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. Saunders was allegedly found with 1.8oz of marijuana on May 13 in New Providence.
After pleading not
guilty, Saunders was granted $2,0000 bail with one or two sureties.
While on bail, the defendant must sign in at his local police station every Thursday by 6pm. His trial begins on July 12.
A MAN was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday after he admitted to a housebreaking in Pinewood Gardens last week.
Magistrate Raquel Whyms charged Benton Oliver, 59, with housebreaking, stealing and receiving. Oliver broke into Leneitra Munroe’s residence sometime between May 9 and 10 and stole a water pump and a Comfort Star air conditioning unit with a compressor valued at $863. After pleading guilty to the offence, Oliver was ordered to serve an 18-month sentence at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
THOSE entranced by political power alternately amuse, frustrate, perplex and infuriate. Such power is similar to a dangerous drug like heroin. It induces euphoria and exhilaration. It quickly becomes addictive. Recall the expression: “Why they can’t give up that power?”
Some will do all manner of things, licit and illicit, to sustain the high. Power, like narcotics, often causes politicians to lose certain inhibitions and to do the stupidest, dumbest, and most reckless things, which make observers scratch their heads.
In Humankind: A Hopeful History, historian and writer, Rutger Bergmam, offers insights on the psychology of power: “Power appears to work like an anaesthetic that makes you insensate to other people. … The more I found out about … power, the more I understood that power is like a drug – one with a catalogue of side effects.”
These side effects, such as extreme narcissism and arrogance, promote delusional thinking, feelings of superiority, and the paradox of a sense of invulnerability nestled aside outsized insecurities. Some with power actually look and act deranged and unhinged.
Observe a new prime minister. He becomes convinced that it was his campaign cum political communications brilliance and his personal appeal that brought his party to power.
Campaigns and appealing leaders do make a difference. However, we know that for the most part, incumbent leaders and parties in The Bahamas tend to lose office, resulting in the opposition coming to power.
It is easier for voters to find reasons to reject an incumbent government. Oppositions are typically recipients of this disappointment and disavowal of a sitting government.
The best oppositions perform a sort of political jujitsu, utilising the weight and energy of the perceived
strengths and actions of a government to topple those in power. Most governments, especially midway through their term, become increasingly unpopular.
It is an amusing irony when those who are gaining in unpopularity become even smugger, more selfsatisfied, increasingly aloof, and at times complacent, believing their own propaganda as to how well they are supposedly doing. They truly cannot see beyond their bubbled comfort zones of delusion.
Name a sitting a prime minister in the last two decades or so who thought they were going to lose an upcoming general election. Despite internal polling and signs of impending defeat, they are convinced that victory cometh in the morning. Party supporters and advisers, many of whom are dependent on the patronage of the prime minister, tend to blow smoke in certain anatomical directions. They endlessly gush at how wonderful and well he is doing.
Those who suggest how well a prime minister or leader is doing, is typically someone benefitting from patronage or a hardcore party supporter. Civil servants are courteous and fawning, even as they are leaking damaging information to the media and opposition parties. Children, who cannot vote,
offer an adoring backdrop to prime ministerial special events.
One telltale sign that a government may be in trou ble is when the media pack begins to grumble and turn. The media is very sensitive to real and perceived slights and attacks. Journalists and editors are genuinely especially exercised by a lack of transparency and accountability.
In opposition, parties beat their chests as to how democratic and accountable they will be in office. Once in office, “a veil of secrecy” often descends, with ministers acting like unac countable potentates who do not have to answer to the public, parliament and the media.
Bergman explored that psychology that befalls many politicians, including those here at home in both major parties.
“It transpires that people in power display the same tendencies … like someone with brain damage. Not only are they more impul sive, self-centred, reckless, arrogant and rude than the average, they … are less attentive to other people and less interested in others’ perspectives.
“They’re also more shameless, often failing to manifest the one facial phenom enon that makes human beings unique among primates. They don’t blush.”
He continues: “One of the effects of power, myriad studies show, is that it makes you see others in a negative light. Once you arrive at the top, there’s less of an impetus to see things from other perspectives.
“There’s no imperative for empathy, because anyone you find irrational or irritating can simply be ignored, sanctioned, locked up, or worse. Powerful people don’t have to justify their actions and therefore can have a blinkered view.”
they have to affect events. Many in the Fourth Estate see themselves as power players, no matter who is in office.
Though social media has become even more influential in influencing opinion
Journalists relish
The delusions of power are ancient. It is the rare and the wise modern Bahamian politician who appreciates these delusions and the need for restraint.
and attitudes, the newspapers and broadcast stations remain influential as gatekeepers. Those leaders who lose media influence become more susceptible to political attacks and a growing mood of discomfort and anger in the country.
When the media swing, it is often, though not always, a bellwether of changing opinions and a deteriorating public mood and moodiness. Moreover, when the media perceive that government communications is too slick, such communications is increasingly dismissed and regarded as mere saccharine-like spin.
There remains a stubborn and wrongheaded conceit that government and political communications is a sort of savior for prime ministers and politicians. Some believe that communications is a substitute for policy and that speechwriters are supposed to craft policy.
Successive prime ministers continue to confuse policy formulation and speechwriting. A number of them still do not appreciate the kind of mindset and personnel needed for both a competent policy unit and communications department.
In the United Kingdom, Peter Mandelson was known as a communications and campaign guru. He served as Labour’s director of communications from 1985 to 1990. He served for a period as part of a triumvirate of power with former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Mandelson helped to rebrand the party as New Labour, which was critical in bringing the party to power in 1997 after bitter defeats and many years in the wilderness.
“He was one of the first to whom the term ‘spin doctor’ was applied and gained the nickname ‘the Prince of Darkness’ because of his ‘ruthlessness’ and ‘media savvy’.”
A communications and public relations expert, Mandelson understood the role and limits of both. He disdained the amateurish and uninformed view that it is mostly communications that moves an electorate or sustains a government in office.
He famously quipped: “Wonderful communications can only take you so far, it’s your policies that take you past the winning post!” Such policy includes how a government actually governs and performs.
No amount of PR can convince a family dealing with high costs that things are getting better. When voters see politicians amassing contracts and political goodies for themselves, no amount of spin will dispel their discontent.
People vote based on their individual circumstances and not on how many tourists are coming or how much the economy is supposedly growing. When Hubert Ingraham won reelection in 1997, there was a palpable sense that “all boats were rising” and that the country was modernising at a quickened pace.
One of the problems President Joe Biden is confronting is that despite the US economy doing generally well, many people are still anxious and being affected by inflation. Communications may help Biden as the fall general election nears. But communications alone will not win an election.
The delusions of power are ancient. It is the rare and the wise modern Bahamian politician who appreciates these delusions and the need for restraint.
While voters are amused by the hubris and sometimes stupidity of our leaders, while reveling in their eventual fall from power, it is these very same voters and the country that pays the ultimate price for the delusions of political power.
1
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3
What proft hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5
The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6
The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfed with seeing, nor the ear flled with hearing.
9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is
new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
12I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
THE punditsphere in Washington and New York was all abuzz yesterday morning, as prospects improved significantly for a couple of debates between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Of course, there will be lots of twists and turns on the path to get there, but it does appear that there would be a loss of face if either refused to debate at this point. And we know that neither of these two wants to lose face.
There is even a possibility that the first such encounter might happen late in June, ahead of the start of early voting in several states. The second debate might occur in September.
Vice-President Kamala Harris would prospectively debate whomever Trump picks as his VP candidate in July. Neither candidate has embraced the clunky and
now outdated Federal Election Commission and its annoying rules. And the days when a national candidate for office accepts federal funds have likely passed forever, as the total campaign expenditure estimates for this year easily exceed nine figures. There is talk that the first debate will be held on CNN, which still holds a position as “fair and balanced” in most minds. The second debate, if there is one, would likely return to CNN or to one of the legacy networks ABC, CBS or NBC – though the
Republicans routinely bash NBC as biased like its offspring MSNBC. A big hurdle in the negotiations between the Trump and Biden camps is whether or not they should debate in front of a live audience. Trump, to no one’s surprise, is insisting on having an audience into which he and his team can insinuate several vocal MAGA-ers. Trump clearly loves performing before and stirring up a mob of his supporters, and may feel rather insecure if he confronts Biden mano-a-mano.
The former president is a bully who relishes the rush of his supporters as he rudely misbehaves and often exaggerates and lies. But Biden is no Hillary Clinton. Remember how she just stood there smirking nervously as Trump strolled around their debate stage eight years ago? Clinton’s expression showed she was flummoxed as to how she should respond, and settled for hoping that the huge TV audience would share her disdain for the showman she was facing. Biden won’t do that. He even stole a line from Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry in an ad accepting Trump’s debate challenge: “Hey, pal. Make my day,” he said with a steely gaze into the camera. He even managed to get in a dig at Trump’s current legal difficulties, noting “I understand that you’re free on Wednesdays” (a traditional day off for many American courts). Whatever else he is, Biden is both a fighter and blessed with a quick wit. While he might well commit some astounding gaffe in a debate with Trump, he clearly believes he will land many more punches than his bombastic foe.
THERE are currently four black senators serving in the US Senate. Chances are you can name three of them: First, there is Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina, whom Donald Trump has anointed his “super surrogate” because, as Trump correctly opines, Scott performs much better at shilling for the former president than he did as an early GOP presidential primary dropout.
Two Democrats are impressive orators and to a lesser degree, effective legislators in America’s upper chamber. They are former Newark mayor Cory Booker, still a dashing figure with an impressive resume who cannot seem to gain traction nationally, and Raphael Warnock, a Georgia preacher at Martin Luther King’s Atlanta church from whom more will be expected as he gets more settled in as a senator. But who is the fourth black senator? It’s Laphonsa Butler, a former labour leader who was appointed to the Senate when 90-year-old Diane Feinstein passed away last October. Butler will not seek a regular Senate term; ambitious Adam Schiff, the Hollywood congressman
who won the Democratic primary election last month in deep blue California, will take her place in January after he defeats a retired LA Dodgers baseball player who won the GOP nomination to oppose him.
But primary election results on Tuesday may lead to another black woman joining the Senate. In Maryland, a popular Washington-area county executive named Angela Alsobrooks defeated a wealthy white wine and liquor dealer to win the Democratic nomination. Her opponent, a sitting congressman who reportedly “donated” over $50m of his own money to finance his campaign, outspent Alsobrooks by a ten-to-one margin. But his problem might have been that he more closely resembles a typical plutocratic Republican candidate than a Democratic nominee.
This is not to say that Alsobrooks will enjoy a stroll to election in November. She will face a two-term, popular former GOP governor in Larry Hogan, who overcame some serious health issues to finish out his second term in the state house and offered a genial, pragmatic, common
Vodou is enjoying a resurgence in Haiti, apparently in response to the tragic events currently unfolding in our cursed neighbour.
Vodou, a religious sect still more familiar to most Americans by the now politically incorrect term “voodoo”, has deep roots in Haiti. Brought across the Atlantic with African slaves, Vodou was central to the revolution that led Haiti to become the world’s first free black republic in 1804.
But the country’s new leaders condemned Vodou, as did the Catholic Church. Vodou then remained largely subterranean for over 200 years. Catholic leaders even demanded that parishioners take an oath renouncing Vodou in 1941.
However, the Associated Press is now reporting that Vodou is becoming a more powerful and accepted religion across Haiti. Haitians are drawn to Vodou in search of
some relief and even protection from the violent gangs that have murdered, raped and kidnapped thousands in recent years.
The AP reports that Haitian violence has left more than 360,000 people homeless.
While the world’s attention is riveted on the pathos and suffering in Gaza, basic goods including food and life-saving medication are dwindling just next door in Haiti. An estimated 2 million Haitians are on the verge of famine.
From January to March of this year, more than 2,500 Haitians were reportedly killed or injured, an increase of more than 50 percent from the same period in 2023, according to United Nations publications.
“Vodou is the system that Haitians have developed to deal with the suffering of this life, a system whose object is to minimise pain, avoid disaster, soften losses, and
sense approach to governing that resonated with Maryland’s overwhelmingly blue electorate.
Hogan has another problem besides running in a state with a two-to-one registered voter disadvantage. He has long been publicly disdainful of Trump, so he won’t get nearly as much national financial support from the GOP as most other Senate contenders. Trump recently orchestrated the appointment of his own daughter in law as chair of the Republican National Committee.
And Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he has little interest in the organization of the Republican Party except insofar as it can promote him and his brand. So Hogan’s support will have to come from lameduck Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and other like-minded party loyalists. Early polls will likely show Hogan with a lead, but don’t be surprised if by election day things will look much different. Alsobrooks has a strong record to run on, and her strengths match the preferences of voters in Maryland’s biggest voter concentrations in Baltimore and the DC suburbs.
A fourth black US senator may be right around the corner.
strengthen the survivors as much as the survival instinct,” Haitian sociologist Laënnec Hurbon wrote in a recent essay cited by the AP.
The current Vodou renaissance may have begun under François “Papa Doc” Duvalier. When he became president in 1957, he politicised the religion and used some representatives to build support.
In 2003, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a priest who became Haiti’s first democratically elected president, recognised Vodou as one of Haiti’s official religions.
“Whenever the community has a big problem, they come here, because there is no justice in Haiti. You find it in the ancestral spirits,” a Vodou spiritual leader told the Associated Press.
No one knows how many people currently practice Vodou in Haiti, but there’s a popular saying: “Haiti is 70 percent Catholic, 30 percent Protestant and 100 percent Vodou.”
THE streets will be painted white this coming Sunday as churches across New Providence convene in solidarity and a spirit of worship for the second all-white Pentecost Prayer Parade.
Church and Christian faithfuls are encouraged to join in the parade as participating local congregations seek to “Heal the Land” through prayer.
The parade is scheduled for this Sunday, starting at the Church of God of Prophecy Tabernacle at 2.30pm and on to Arawak Cay.
Organisers say this gathering of believers is desperately needed to help heal the Bahamas.
The parade is the brainchild of Bishop Dr Woodley C Thompson, the National Bishop Designate of the COGOP Bahamas.
Fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was the first Pentecost as God caused a visible outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
During the parade, Minister Terry Walters, the National Director of Evangelism and Home Mission, alongside others will lead the team of prayer intercessors with a consecrated ‘Prayer Rope’ (act of faith).
“During this activity persons can touch the rope along the parade route as an act of faith to believe that God will hear and answer their prayers. Additionally, bags will be available to collect the prayer requests,” said Felton Beneby, who spoke on behalf of the organisers.
The Bahamas Brass Band, Youth and Junior Brass Bands, as well as the Urban Renewal Band will provide the musical accompaniment with spirit as the people worship and praise the Lord along the route.
The parade will travel north on East Street; west on Ross
Corner; south on Market Street; west on Chapel Street, to Meadow Street; north on Nassau Street, onto West Bay Street, finishing at at Arawak Cay.
Once at Arawak Cay, there will be an ecumenical service from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. This service will be carried live on ZNS Radio 1540 AM, 104.5 FM, and Our TV on Cable 12 where there “will be a mighty move of God in prayer, praise, and worship.”
The parade participants will then join in praise and worship at the White Flame Finale Concert. This event is expected to feature performances by Davian Chase, Cara Newton and Oslien Jadorte; DJ Godson will be the MC.
The activities don’t stop there. From May 20 to 24, Dr Ghandi Thompson, the National Youth Director, will be praying on Facebook from various churches in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Harbour Island, Andros, Exuma, and San Salvador.
“The Pentecost Prayer Parade has formed a partnership relationship with the RBPF in their fight against crime and all the social ills that are plaguing our land,” said Mr Beneby. “This is no ordinary parade. We are marching as witnesses of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. His Holy Spirit dwells in us to teach and guide into all truth: ‘But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ When we pray and call upon the name of the Lord we are more than conquerors because of His love towards us.”
“I
- Up-and-coming gospel artist finds success with first single
By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.netShe has always been a worshipper at heart, so it was only natural for Frankelle Outten to choose the genre of gospel when she decided to become a singer.
“My inspiration, it comes directly from God,” she said. “Many of my songs are born through my quiet time with God and/or through my personal experiences.”
Frankelle has just released her first single, “Talitha Koum”, inspired by an Aramaic phrase spoken by Jesus.
While this is also the first song she has written on her own to sing, Frankelle said she doesn’t considere herself a songwriter.
“I always say, ‘I don’t write songs, I hear Heaven’, and that’s my aim – to translate heavenly sounds to earth that will touch the hearts of those who hear them,” she said.
Coming from a family of talented singers and musicians, Frankelle grew up singing in church from a young age, and her earliest memory of singing in front of an audience is with her mother, singing a rendition of “Blessed Assurance” by CeCe Winans.
“I have always had a keen interest in music and the intricate sounds associated with it like harmonies and melodies. I do not play the piano proficiently, but from a young age, I would spend hours replicating notes I would
hear in a song and play it on the piano,” she said.
“Excitingly, ‘Talitha Koum’ is my first released single and the first project of my own that I’ve worked on, but I’ve sung on tracks for a few other artists over the years. As God continues to use me as His vessel, I know that ‘Talitha Koum’ is the first of many songs that I will release.”
The inspiration behind the new song, Frankelle said, came to her when was invited to minister at a conference called “Galentine Vibes” - an annual Christian women's conference hosted by the Wife HER! Ministry. As the theme of the conference was "Talitha Koum: Arise, Daughters of God", leading up to the event, there was much time spent in prayer for Frankelle. During one of those prayer times, God revealed to her that she would sing an original song over the women in the room
in attendance. A few months later, the song “Talitha Koum” was born.
“Everything about the song was directed by God through His Holy Spirit, and that is especially true for the lyrics. The phrase ‘Talitha Koum’ comes from the Biblical story in Mark 5:41 where a young girl became very ill and eventually died. At the time, Jesus was performing miracles nearby, so the girl's father desperately brought Him to his daughter's bedside. When Jesus arrived, He took her by the hand and uttered the words ‘Talitha Koum’, which in Aramaic means ‘Little girl, arise’, and immediately she arose from the dead. This story speaks of the resurrection power that is found in Jesus, and how that same resurrection power can apply to any area of our lives. The lyric ‘not every death deserves a tomb, speaks to this truth most profoundly,” Frankelle explained. She said the feedback and support for new song has been phenomenal and humbling.
“I’ve cried, smiled, and pinched myself many times as I take it all in. So many people have told me how the song has inspired them, how they feel free, and how they feel loved by God just listening to it. Most people have said that they have the song on repeat in their cars, at their jobs, all day on their phones, and more. I'm truly honoured to know that God used me for such a great body of work and I'm blessed to know that it inspired even just one person,” she said..
Frankelle is inspired by individuals like her mother, Kelly Outten, who was her first musical influence. To this day, they still sing together, and Frankelle credits her mom with teaching her how to harmonise and educating her on the beauty and importance of the gift that God blessed them with.
“My mother kept me grounded with my gift and made sure that I used my voice in church and anything faith-related. She was a children's and youth choir director for many years, and to this day many know and love her for this. Another musical influence that I will mention is CeCe Winans. A major part of her influence on me is credited to my parents. My mother loved the song ‘Blessed Assurance’ and it was the song that we would receive standing ovations for in church, through our melodic mother-daughter duets,” she said.
“The way CeCe Winans put her own jazzy spin on the song was so intriguing to my mom that she would play it on repeat. Her love for it made me love it too.”
She said CeCe Winans' musical influence on her music was further solidified when her father, Franklyn Outten, played the 1999 album “Alabaster Box” on repeat.
“Known as the ‘Ice Cream Man’ in our community, he had an ice cream truck that he would drive throughout the neighbourhoods and anywhere he went you could hear songs from the album like ‘Fill My Cup’, ‘Comforter’, and ‘It Wasn't Easy’ blasting at the highest volume. I would accompany
him on many of those trips and very soon I knew the words and melodies of her songs,” she said.
“Although I loved to sing, I did not aspire to be a recording artist like her, but I was moved and impacted by the authenticity and purity of her sound. Furthermore, the storytelling style of her song
‘Alabaster Box’ captivated me and fed into my love for literature and meaningful lyrics.’
At present, Frankelle’s music goals are very simple: to continue to seek God for the next project and follow His will for her career, and ultimately her journey as a recording artist.
“I do not have any immediate plans to release more music this year, but when I am inspired by God to do so, I definitely will. For now, I am grateful that ‘Talitha Koum’ is reaching the masses and I am excited to see the impact that it will further have on those who will listen.”
Frankelle’s music can be found on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube.
“Most of the time I can be found singing in church, or on my social media platforms, which I use as an outlet to minister through song. I can be found on Instagram and TikTok at @frankelleoutten, and on my YouTube channel at Frankly Frankie,” she said. Frankelle is also the owner of a business called Nexus Advantage Connect, a billboard advertising company in Grand Bahama. She serves in ministry as a worship leader and is as a full-time student.
THE Elite Ballers deserve all of their flowers after finishing off the Foxxy Defenders 78-60 in what was a battle of the generations for the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association (NPWBA) championship hardware.
Despite being one of the youngest and newest teams in the league, the Elite Ballers were unphased by the odds stacked against them and closed out the best-of-five championship series 3-1 at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
Shakira Farrington, assistant coach of the Elite Ballers, said it felt good to get the title victory in just their first year competing in the night league.
“It feels good. It was our first time here in the league and we did it. Last game we came out a little rough so in this game we knew we had
FOUR Government
Secondary School Sports Association (GSSSA) senior soccer teams are finals bound after emerging victorious in the sudden death playoffs yesterday at Roscow AL Davies Soccer Field.
The CR Walker Knights, who are the defending champions, sent the fourth seeded CV Bethel Stingrays packing 1-0 in the senior girls’ matchup. In the same division, the third seeded RM Bailey Pacers handed a devastating 1-0 loss to the second seeded Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves.
Moving on to the senior boys’ division, the pennant winning Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves took down the fourth seeded CV Bethel Stingrays 2-0 to advance to the final round.
The Government High School Magic, who are the defending champions, will compete for yet another GSSSA soccer championship after defeating the third seeded CR Walker Knights 3-1.
Senior Girls
Lyric Saunders, who plays as a striker and midfielder, lifted Lady Knights over the Stingrays when she scored a timely goal in the first half. The defending champions thwarted any attempt of the Stingrays scoring which sealed their win.
Knights head coach
Dan Weightman gave his thoughts on the team’s latest win. “It was a good game. It is the playoffs, things tighten up so it was a tight game. We were able to get a goal and then pretty much dominated the entire game. They did not get a shot and we felt good about that. We were able to play
our full team and got the job done so now we are on to the championships,” Weightman said.
CAMP GET ready for the annual Coach Kevin Johnson’s Basketball Camp 2024.
Coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson has announced that his camp will run from June 24 to July 12 at the CI Gibson Secondary High School and will run daily from 9am to 1pm. For $120 for three weeks, campers will get a chance to play and learn the fundamentals of the game of basketball from professional instructors. Interested persons can sign up by contacting coach Johnson at 6369350 or email: coachkjjohnson@ gmail.com
CHESS BCF GENERAL MEETING THE Bahamas Chess Federation will hold a general meeting at 3pm on Sunday, May 19 in the conference room at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Secretary Angel Pratt revealed that the meeting is open to members only.
CHESS SEYMOUR TOURNEY POSTPONED THE Bahamas Chess Federation has announced that the Warren Seymour Classic that was scheduled for this weekend has been postponed. The 5-rounds swiss tournament will
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Coach Weightman is looking forward to being in contention for yet another championship and also has
his sights set on the Samuel P Haven Jr High School Soccer Nationals. “It feels good. We have been here
pretty regularly so we are hopeful that we can do it again this year and we have our sights set on nationals as well,” he said.
The RM Bailey Pacers got a game-winning goal from Janae Ariste in the second half of the sudden death playoff game to propel her team to the next round.
Pacers head coach Robert Johnson said revenge felt like bliss against the Timberwolves’ senior girls.
“This is like sweet revenge. We got them back because we lost our first game against Anatol on an own goal so we didn’t start the season on a good note and were looking forward to this game. During the game, our girls played really well in the first half then the game got tight. Anatol has a really great squad but we got it together, kept
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THE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in conjunction with the Ministry of Education have officially launched the Frank “Pancho” Rahming Primary School Track and Field Nationals slated for May 21-23 at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
The announcement was made yesterday morning during a press conference at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
The event will feature up to 34 primary schools, hailing from the Family Islands, and 15 schools from New Providence will also be in action next week.
The athletes from ages 5-13 will compete in four divisions - A, B, C and D. The A division is for the 13 and under group, B division
FRANK RAHMING
is 11 and under, C is 9 and under and D is 7 and under. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said the collaboration between both ministries indicates the collective commitment to developing the youth in The Bahamas through not only sports but other avenues.
“Our partnership with the Ministry of Education underscores our shared commitment to a holistic development of every child. By integrating sports into the school curriculum, we not only promote physical health but also instil important values such as teamwork, discipline and resilience.
“However, our commitment to youth development extends far beyond the realm of sports.
“While today we are here to prepare to see our young athletes on the track, tomorrow it may be through digital skills programmes, entrepreneurship initiatives and artistic endeavours.
“Regardless of the avenue, our goal remains the same — to empower every child in our country to reach their full potential. As we head into the Frank ‘Pancho’ SEE PAGE 16
pressing and we came through with the victory,” coach Johnson said. The Pacers will face an uphill battle as they will match up against the undefeated Lady Knights who defeated them for the title last season.
“Last year we found ourselves in the same position against an excellent team in CR Walker, who ended the season without a loss. We have our work cut out for us because it is a great team but we are gonna celebrate right now, get back to the drawing board tomorrow and draw up a plan. We are gonna come out as Pacers on Friday and give it our all,” he said.
Senior Boys The defending champions of the senior boys division scored three goals in the first half to put away the Knights yesterday evening. Ralph Gervais, John Francois and Wisdom Ngaobidi all pitched in one goal apiece to put the Magic up 3-0 going into the second half of play. Vincent Fernander seized the available opportunity in the second half to score the lone goal for the Knights but it was not enough to save their season.
GHS head coach Melvin Miller said being able to secure another spot in the final round is a product of hard work.
“This win is tremendous. It means that we are the
champions and have been at it since 2019 and we anticipate keeping it for another year. One year at a time our players have been working hard and have been training. We have our principal Pavia Rolle who has been supporting the
team. We have our assistant coach Mr Seymour and we have been working hard towards this.
“GHS needs to shine. There are too many times the negative of the school is seen more than positive and we will show The Bahamas
that this is the school to be,” he said.
Coach Miller said the team will bring their A-game on Friday in hopes to repeat as champions.
The Timberwolves only needed two goals to put away the Stingrays. Djino Bazan found the back of the net in the first half to help the T-wolves to a 1-0 lead at halftime. Towards the end of the second half Macklove Raphael was successful on a goal from just outside the penalty box to go up 2-0 and put the nail in the coffin against the Stingrays.
T-wolves head coach Cleon Carnegie was not fond of how the team played but he will take the win. “It was a tough win. I didn’t like the game in
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to play good defensively. Our bigs had to come in and step up and we knew once we ran our offence we would win today,” Farrington said.
The make-up of the Elite Ballers’ roster consists of mostly high school players with the exception of Valerie Nesbitt who has played at the national, collegiate and pro level.
“Most of them are high school players. We only have Val, who played overseas basketball and college basketball with Coach Yo, but most of them are 10th graders, 11th and 12th graders. We are trying to prepare them for college and we travel a lot to try and get the games in. This was a good thing for them to come here and play in the night league to get them prepared for college”, she said.
Speaking of Nesbitt, she was a prolific force to be reckoned with on the offensive end of the basketball court. Her performance in the series earned her the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours and the Top Point Scorer distinction for the 2024 NPWBA Finals.
Nesbitt along with Shenell Stewart, who attends CR Walker, shouldered the load for the Elite Ballers on Tuesday night.
The MVP was a “Jill of all trades” for the newlycrowned champions. She stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.
“It feels great to come out here and compete back at home. It feels amazing to win MVP and know that I impacted the game the whole tournament,” she said.
She noted that the process was not always easy playing with the younger team at first but it was great to share some of her knowledge and experience with them.
“It was very challenging at first but when they got accustomed to me and how I am, the goal was to come and try to help them and give them as much knowledge as I know and try to give back to the game and people younger than me,” Nesbitt said.
Meanwhile, Stewart was in cruise control against the Foxxy Defenders. She powered her way to a game-high 30 points, five rebounds and two assists. She shot 12-for24 on the night. “It feels great because we came out here to develop our skills playing against adults so it truly feels amazing to win. I came out here with a goal to basically play my best because I didn’t play well last game. I tried to just keep my head up and encourage my teammates,” Stewart said.
Game Recap
Both teams brought their A-game to start the opening quarter of the elimination game. After a tightly-contested first quarter, it would be the Foxxy Defenders leading 19-18. Suddenly, the momentum shifted in favour of the
Elite Ballers with Nesbitt at the helm. She scored 10 of her 16 points in just the second quarter. The Elite Ballers then reeled off a 15-6 scoring run which was initiated by a made layup and successful three-pointer made by the MVP.
While the Elite Ballers were firing on all cylinders, the Foxxy Defenders hit an offensive dry spell leaving them scoreless for nearly 2:00 during their opponents offensive run.
The champions were able to pull ahead by double digits (35-25) with 3:16 remaining before the halftime break. They outscored the Foxxy Defenders 24-13 and were in charge 42-32 at the halftime break.
Chrishanda Rahming got a late start for the Foxxy
Defenders, checking into the game in the second half, but she made all the difference in the third quarter.
Rahming continuously bullied her way to the charity stripe to exploit the Elite Ballers’ foul trouble. She single-handedly helped to cut the lead down to single digits late in the third quarter with a layup that shifted the score to 53-44.
Although the Foxxy Defenders continued to hang around on the scoreboard, Stewart connected on a big three-pointer to push the lead back to double digits (58-46) at the 1:21 mark of the third quarter and the rest was history. Both teams were evenly matched on the boards with 57 apiece but the difference maker was
the fastbreak and points from turnovers.
The Elite Ballers utilised their speed to their advantage earning 30 points from fastbreak opportunities compared to the six scored by the Foxxy Defenders. Additionally, they managed to score 21 points from turnovers while the Foxxy Defenders only scored 10.
Roberta Quant finished the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Rahming poured in 13 points and six rebounds for the Foxxy Defenders in the loss. The NPWBA night league returned after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Individual Awards Most reboundsShamarajah Cummings Defensive playerShenell Stewart
particular because some things were not going so well but sometimes it can be like that. We didn’t get to play the way we wanted to but CV had a plan and it obstructed us somehow. We still ended up with the win and sometimes it can be like that,” coach Carnegie said. He gave insight on the team’s mindset going into Friday’s matchup against the defending champions. “It feels good but from here you know everyone has a right and nothing is guaranteed. We have to go out there prepared, ready to adapt and adjust to get the result,” he said.
Championship games will begin at 3:30pm on Friday at the same venue.
15
now be rescheduled over the weekend of June 29-30.
SOFTBALL NPOTSA ACTION THE New Providence Oldtimers Softball Association will begin its 2024 season this weekend at the Archdeacon William Thompson Softball Park at the Southern Recreational Grounds.
Here’s a look at the fixture of games for Sunday: 2pm - SWD Boyz vs Dozer Pros.
4pm - Corner Boys vs KC Construction.
The official opening ceremonies will take place on Saturday, June 1.
TRACK RED-LINE YOUTH
CLASSIC
THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club is slated to hold its 3rd Annual RedLine Youth Track Classic on Saturday, May 25 at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
The event will cater to all of the track and field events for the age group athletes ranging from 8-and under-20. There will also be one or two events for the open category.
Interested persons can contact Red-Line Athletics’ coach Tito Moss at 425-4262 for further details.
BASKETBALL
Rahming Primary School Track Meet, let us remember that our dedication to nurturing the talents and aspirations of our youth together we can create a brighter future for the next generation,” Bowleg said. He thanked supporters, coaches, and volunteers and encouraged Bahamians to come out and support the future generation of athletes in the country. The event will award the top performers from each school and will be used to set the tone for the nationals going forward.
In previous years, schools from the Family Islands would compete as one but this time around each school will be represented in competition.
Ricardo Deveaux, deputy permanent secretary in the MOE, spoke on behalf of Minister of Education Glenys HannaMartin, who was unable to attend due to travelling.
“It is indeed an honour and privilege to partner
with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on this Primary School Track and Field Nationals. This competition named in honour of Frank “Pancho” Rahming, who is a sports icon in The Bahamas, is indeed timely. I had an opportunity to work with Mr Rahming while here at the Ministry of Youth and I know of his passion for young people, especially our primary school students. I think the Ministry of Education also is proud that we are able to partner with you on this Annual Primary School Track and Field Nationals,” Deveaux said.
Rahming started his sporting career in 1959. Since then, the 2008 Hall of Fame inductee has represented The Bahamas at the Munich Olympic Games, served as a physical education teacher and national team coach while still finding the time to focus on the development of primary school track and field in The Bahamas. The Deputy Permanent Secretary is hoping that the event can continue to honour the legacy of Frank ‘Pancho’ Rahming.
“I am passionate about primary school students. They are our future and they are the ones who we will see making The Bahamas proud. We thank you for continuing this work that was started here in the MOYSC for a long time and that you continue to honour the legacy of Frank “Pancho” Rahming with this competition,” Deveaux said.
Kelsie Johnson-Sills, acting director of sports, encouraged parents to follow the necessary guidelines required for the safety of their child during next week’s nationals.
“We are trying our best to safeguard this sensitive age group. We have to ensure that the five-yearolds are protected and
that the 13-year-olds are protected.
“We are not saying that parents are not allowed to come to the hotel or not allowed to stay at the hotel but we are simply saying parents are not allowed to stay overnight in your child’s room at the hotel.
“Your child is now in the care of the primary school that they are representing with the responsibility being placed on the coaches and chaperones,” Johnson-Sills said.
She stressed that parents can pick up their child from the stadium at any time with the consent of a coach, chaperone or ministry official in efforts to keep track of the student athletes. However, parents will not be allowed to
ride on the bus with the athletes.
“We have no problem with the parents or guardians talking, meeting or even cheering on the child. They are welcome to come.
“We are preparing these young men and women for future track and field events. If they are selected to be on a national team whether it be swimming, basketball, volleyball, track and field, softball, the parent will turn the child over to the governing body for that sport.
“We are only asking the parents and guardians to please allow us to do what we need to do to make sure that safety comes first,” she said.
The meet will begin at 9am and conclude at 4pm.
NEX-GEN THE third annual Nex-Gen Elite Training Basketball Camp, hosted by JR Basketball Academy, is all set for June 24 to July 13 from 9am to noon at the Telios Indoor Gymnasium on Carmichael Road.
The camp, powered by Frazier’s Roofing, will provide training for game situations, shooting, passibng, ball handling, defense and footwork for boys and girls between the ages of 8-19 years.
Registration is now open. Interested persons can contact Cadot at 535-9354, email jrcbasketballacademy.com or go online to www.jrcbasketballacademy.com
RED-LINE
FIELD CLASSIC
THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club is scheduled to hold its 2024 Field Event Classic on Saturday, May 18 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium from 9am to 3pm.
The event is geared strictly for field events, including the high, long and triple jumps and the javelin, discus and shot put throwing events. Interested athletes are urged to contact Red-Line Athletics’ coach Tito Moss at 425-4262 for further details.
Bickerstaff is completing his fourth full season as Cleveland’s coach. Including the 11 games he coached after taking over for John Beilein during the 2019-20 season, Bickerstaff is 170-159 with two playoff appearances. Much like they did in Game 4 without Mitchell, the Cavs used the 3-point line to keep pace with the Celtics, making 8 of 19 in the opening 24 minutes.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)
— Repeating a championship in the NBA is as challenging as ever with the talent level across the league these days, with the Golden State Warriors the only one to do so over the last decade.
Look at the five teams that hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Denver Nuggets last season: the Warriors in 2022, the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and the Warriors in 2019. None of them advanced past the second round the following year.
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are one win away from stopping that streak and playing like they’re poised to buck that lack-ofback-to-backs trend.
With 40 points and 13 assists from the indefatigable Jokic, the Nuggets stymied the Minnesota Timberwolves again on Tuesday night in Denver to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series and can eliminate them in Game 6 tonight in Minneapolis.
“They’re playing better than us right now. They’re outplaying us. They’re playing harder than us. They’re getting all the loose balls. Everything is going their way,” Wolves guard Anthony Edwards said. “They’ve got the momentum, and we’ve got to figure out a way to shift it back our way.”
Strangely enough, the Nuggets have Minnesota to thank for beating them so badly on their home court in Game 2. The domination on both ends of the court was just the jolt that Denver needed.
“We collectively weren’t playing like the reigning NBA champions. I think we weren’t playing with our usual swagger. We weren’t playing with confidence. We weren’t playing with any aggression. I think you have to give Minnesota a lot of credit, because they had a lot to do with that,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “I thought Game 2 was a great reminder of us needing to get back to who we needed to be offensively and defensively.”
The Warriors in 2017 and 2018 were the only repeat
winner in the last 10 years. They made it to the NBA Finals in 2019 and lost to the Raptors, who were ousted in the second round the following season. The Lakers were eliminated in the first round in 2021. The Bucks were beaten in the second round in 2022, as were the Warriors in 2023.
The Nuggets have not only unleashed the staggering impact of the three-time MVP Jokic, but in handing the Wolves their first threegame losing streak of this season they’ve exposed some cracks in the NBA’s leading defence with sharp outside shooting by their secondary scorers. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the latest to go off, hitting four of his five 3-point tries in Game 5.
Then there’s the defence that Denver presented to the All-Star Edwards after his 44-point game on Sunday. Edwards went 5 for 15 from the floor for 18 points with four turnovers on Tuesday.
“We’ve still got a chance. There’s no let up. Everybody is still here. I think everybody is still engaged,” said Minnesota centre Naz Reid, the Sixth Man of the Year award winner.
“I think everybody wants to make that adjustment or that change to get back on top and be ourselves.”
TIMBERWOLVES AT NUGGETS Denver leads 3-2. Game 6, Thursday, 8:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN — NEED TO KNOW: Jokic joked after Game 1 that he would need a “duplicate clone of myself” to help the Nuggets solve the paint defence the Wolves were sending at them behind four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner Rudy Gobert. Jokic had his way with Gobert and whoever else tried to pitch in with a hand up or a body block in Game 5, going 15 for 22 from the floor.
— KEEP AN EYE ON: Michael Porter Jr. The third-leading scorer for the Nuggets during the regular season has been a nonfactor in this series, ceding key fourth-quarter minutes to backup Christian Braun. Porter shot just 2 for 10 on Tuesday.
— INJURY WATCH: Wolves point guard Mike Conley missed Game 5 with a sore Achilles
tendon, which he strained on the final possession of their Game 4 loss when he missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds. Edwards clearly missed his backcourt mate, because the Wolves found little cohesion on offence in Game 5.
Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray was quiet himself in Game 5, likely more a function of Jokic’s dominance than his strained calf, which appears to be less of a hindrance as the series goes on.
— PRESSURE IS ON: Edwards. The Wolves are facing elimination by the Nuggets for the second straight year, after being bounced in five games in the first round last season. The “Wolves in four!” chants that broke out before Game 3 at Target Center seem like a distant memory along with the 2-0 lead. If the Wolves can stop their skid tonight, they’ll have a puncher’s chance in Game 7 in Denver, but Edwards will have to solve the double teams that are sure to come his way again in Game 6.
By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMIAN Wom-
en’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player Jonquel “JJ” Jones returned for the 202425 season with the same intensity she demonstrated for the New York Liberty during their last postseason run.
Jones led last year’s WNBA championship runners-up to a narrow 85-80 victory against the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC.
The Grand Bahama native’s performance in the season opener was like night and day compared to her performance in the 2023 season opener in which she scored just five points trying to battle back from a nagging foot injury.
One season later, Jones paced the Liberty for a game-high 25 points complemented by eight rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes on the floor. She shot 10-for-17 from the field and caught fire from behind the arc, connecting on 4-of-8 three pointers.
The former WNBA MVP spent her offseason playing overseas in China with Inner Mongolia in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) and also helped the team advance to the finals.
“You take advantage of the opportunities that you have. You go overseas, you work on your game and you do things that you know that you can do on the court,” Jones said.
“You kind of use that time to really work and so to come back and see everything kind of come
to fruition, it does feel good. I know I’ve said this during preseason and training camp, but like where I was last year versus where I am this year, like I don’t take it for granted. And I appreciate these moments and I love going out there and playing hard,” she told reporters.
The Liberty and Mystics were involved in a see-saw affair in the first quarter of the season opener. Both teams exchanged the lead on multiple occasions including at the 2:58 mark where Jones connected on a 7-foot two point shot to give the Libs an 18-15 advantage. Her team ended the first quarter ahead by three (23-20).
In the second half, the Mystics would regain their footing in the contest with guards Ariel Atkins and Britney Sykes leading the way. Atkins scored a teamhigh 20 points and Sykes turned in a 14 points and 10 rebounds double-double.
With the Mystics threatening to take over on the scoreboard, Jones made a layup off a Sabrina Ionescu assist midway through the second quarter to give the Liberty a six-point cushion (36-30).
New York trailed 43-40 going into the halftime break.
After trailing going into both the third and fourth quarter, Jones and her team ran out to a 16-4 run to take charge of the ball game 75-71.
The Liberty got a 81-74 edge on their opponents thanks to some big shots from Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who finished with 20 points, with 2:54 left in the contest.
Down the stretch the Mystics still were within
during the first half on Tuesday night. (AP
striking distance as Sykes made three consecutive buckets to pull Washington within one (81-80).
Fortunately, three-point specialist Ionescu iced the victory for New York at the charity stripe with two free throws.
Jones and the Liberty have big individual and collective expectations in the Big Apple. The former WNBA MVP is looking to
take another big step in her career after being re-signed by the team this offseason. Meanwhile, the Liberty are looking to end this postseason with the championship hardware following their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2002 last season.
Next up on the schedule are the Indiana Fever 7pm today at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
United manager Erik ten Hag had just seen his team win its last match at Old Trafford this season when he strode onto the field and took the microphone to address the club’s fans.
There might have been a smattering of boos but there was largely a backdrop of cheers as the under-pressure Dutch coach delivered a speech that felt like an audition to continue in the job next season.
“As you know,” he said after the 3-2 win over Newcastle in the Premier League, “it wasn’t an easy season, but one thing remained constant — and that was the backing of you for the team.
“But this season is not over yet.”
Indeed, United still has to go to Brighton in Sunday’s final round of Premier League games. Then, the following weekend, it’s another FA Cup final against Manchester City. Two huge games. Two opportunities to qualify for Europe. Two final chances for Ten Hag to stake his claim to stay on as manager of England’s grandest club as it undergoes a shake-up. United remained in eighth place in the league — hugely disappointing for a club of its stature — but moved level on points with Newcastle in seventh and three behind sixth-place Chelsea, which beat Brighton 2-1 away in Wednesday’s other game.
With Tottenham likely to finish in fifth place, Chelsea, Newcastle and Man United look to be fighting for the final two European qualifying positions. The teams
finishing in sixth and seventh place should qualify for the Europa League and Europa Conference League, respectively. Man United could also get in the Europa League by winning the cup final against City on May 25. Chelsea’s win at Brighton was its fourth straight in the league. That hasn’t happened since October 2022.
NKUNKU CELEBRATION
Christopher Nkunku inflated a blue balloon and held it between his lips to celebrate his second-half goal that ultimately proved the difference for Chelsea at Amex Stadium. The France striker’s 64th-minute strike added to Cole Palmer’s 22nd goal of the campaign in the 34th minute.
Second-half Chelsea substitute Reece James was shown a straight red card in the 88th — following a VAR review — after he kicked out at Joao Pedro while on the ground.
Danny Welbeck grabbed Brighton’s consolation goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
HOJLUND STRIKES A strike by substitute Rasmus Hojlund in the 84th minute proved to be the clinching goal for Man United in a match between direct rivals for Europe.
Kobbie Mainoo put United ahead in the 31st after a pass was slipped through the Newcastle defense by Amad Diallo, who regained the lead for the home side with a fierce left-footed shot through a crowd of players after a 57thminute corner wasn’t fully cleared. Anthony Gordon had scored Newcastle’s equaliser in the 49th.
THE Valley Boys organisation has announced an interim chair ahead of a planned election early next year. Trevor Davis taken on the interim chair role and the group has been registered as a non-profit organisation, with the Valley Boys issuing a statement saying it is a “time of significant transformation within our esteemed organisation”.
The group committed “to ensure that the funds generously donated and diligently raised serve the very members who breathe
vitality into our tradition along Bay Street”. It also promised to improve shack conditions.
The statement added: “At the heart of our mission lies the imperative of an election, affording every member an equal opportunity to vie for office and serve. This principle not only reflects our democratic ethos but also aligns with the not-for-profit laws of The Bahamas, governing entities such as ours.”
For the planned 2025 election, all registered members can run for office and cast their votes.
The statement added: “Despite varying opinions and perspectives, we implore our members to eschew discord. Our collective objective remains clear: to advance and flourish, reclaiming our position of prominence in the Junkanoo Parades.”
The group added: “Recent social media discourse and inter-group communications prompt us to clarify the facts for our supporters and interested parties. Fourteen months ago, a dedicated contingent of Valley Boys convened to rectify our trajectory. Our
administrative efficacy had waned, and we relinquished our customary first-place standing in the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Parades.
“Despite opposition, the Way Forward Committee advocated for reforms, including regular meetings, financial transparency, and group elections. With legal guidance, we discovered The Valley Boys had not been registered as a nonprofit organisation.
“Accepting accountability, the Way Forward Committee promptly rectified this oversight, ensuring
transparency. It’s crucial to note that all Junkanoo groups, including ours, receiving public funds or donations must adhere to the 2019 NPO Laws of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. No exemptions apply.
“Moreover, the Way Forward Committee is now mandated to call for elections. Meetings were convened to explain our actions, and over 600 Valley Boys registered to date.
“Our initiatives align with the Ministry’s endeavor to hold all Junkanoo groups accountable
for public funds. Collaboration with the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence underscores the imperative for all groups to possess governmentissued documentation for legal funding. Consequently, the Way Forward Committee oversees the registration of The Valley Boys Junkanoo Group, ensuring compliance. We have seen where the government has held other groups accountable for the funds issued to them, and we would like to ensure that we follow the same protocols.”
ON SATURDAY, more than 200 guests visited Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas to celebrate and recognise Junior Achievement New Providences’ top achievers.
The celebration is part of the partnership between the cruise line and the nonprofit organisation, which aims to foster innovation and financial literacy.
“Junior Achievement has instilled a strong work ethic
in my youth that I still value today,” said Philip Simon Jr, president and general manager, Royal Caribbean International Bahamas.
“Ensuring our future generation is financially literate and has a competitive
ON TUESDAY, May 7, a select group of 12th grade cadets from the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC) were hosted aboard the Royal Caribbean International’s “Allure of the Seas”.
These cadets were identified for this experience because they are part of a larger group who has declared their intention to remain in the shipping industry following their graduation from high school. In addition to a tour of the public spaces, this group was given access to areas such as the bridge and the control centre of the engine room. While on the bridge, the cadets met Captain Sean McDuff.
Equating the control centre of the vessel with the cockpit of an aircraft, he explained the use of the equipment including the radar, the steering system and the mechanisms which control the ship’s engines while it is
berthing and undocking.
He stressed the importance of each person on the bridge being assigned a specific task to maintain the optimum level of precision and control.
They were able to equate their classroom instruction in the Rules of the Nautical Road to the importance of maintaining a lookout and accurate radar plotting so as to avoid the risk of a collision.
From the bridge the cadets made their way to the engine control room.
The cadets learned about the power generation systems, plumbing, air conditioning, the dining spaces as well as how to manage fuel efficiency.
The BMCC is an afterschool programme for students in grades 10–12 and seeks to expose them to several aspects of the maritime industry with the focus on a career at sea.
edge in the workforce will increase their chances of success. It’s an honour to celebrate their accomplishments and support their future endeavours.”
The award ceremony follows Royal Caribbean’s
$10,000 sponsorship of Junior Achievement’s annual Toastmasters Competition, which took place in February.
The preliminary series of competitions was held in Grand Bahama,
Andros, New Providence and Eleuthera,
and
RECENTLY, at EP Roberts Primary in Nassau, the Lodge of Unity No 8760, welcomed seven young men into the 2nd Bahamas Scout Troop.
Every Friday, at 3pm, brethren from the lodge dedicate their time to guide and inspire young
scouts - and the troop is thriving. In a post to social media, the lodge said: “We encourage our community to come forward and support these young leaders in the making. Your involvement can truly make a difference!”
