126 receive nat’l honours

One hundred and twenty-six Jamaicans have been selected for recognition through Governor General Sir Patrick Allen during the National Honours and Awards Ceremony to be held at King’s House next October on Heroes Day.

The 2023 list of recipients is led by five outstanding individuals who have been appointed members of the Order of Jamaica (OJ), including former Cabinet Minister Audley Shaw; legendary Jamaican singer Marcia Griffiths; The Most Reverend Howard Gregory, head of the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica; Charles Johnston, chairman of Jamaica Freight & Shipping Company Limited; and Paul Barnaby 'P.B.' Scott, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Musson Group and chairman of the Development Bank of Jamaica.

Shaw, the veteran parliamentarian, has been honoured for his contribution to political administration, while Griffiths was recognised her contribution to reggae music, locally and internationally.

Johnston was noted for his contribution to Jamaica’s shipping and logistics industry, while Gregory was recognised for service in the field of religion.

Scott has been honoured for his contributions to Jamaica’s economic development and his outstanding leadership in the business sector.

Twenty-seven people have been appointed to the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) and 36 to the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD). Two men have been awarded the Badge of Honour for Gallantry (BH{G}), while 28 persons have been honoured with the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BH{M}) and 28 with the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service (BH{L}).

Collette Roberts Risden, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; popular businessman and philanthropist, Andrew Mahfood, CEO, Wisynco Group and chairman, Food For The Poor Jamaica; Dr Ashburn Pinnock, president, The MICO University College and Professor Lloyd Waller will be awarded with membership in the CD.

Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, after learning she was among those being recognised, Roberts Risden said, “I’m happy to know that my country is recognising me for the work that I’ve done and the contributions that I’ve made to Jamaica, especially in the area of social security, which is where I know that I’ve made my greatest contribution to Jamaica.”

Mahfood was also happy to received his national honour.

“I am pleased that my contributions to the development, growth and expansion of our country has not gone unrecognised. I take pleasure in serving Jamaica with the utmost of my ability, and this award will only boost me to further give of myself and contributing even more to nation building,” he said.

Waller, executive director at The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, and head of the Department of Government at The University of the West indies, said,”I am overwhelmed with gratitude for being recognised for my hard work in tourism resilience and governance locally by my country.”

He added, “It is certainly a momentous occasion and a moment that I will forever treasure. Indeed, this kind of motivation is encouraging and inspiring. I would like to thank the Lord and all the stakeholders involved in the decision-making process and everyone who has played a role in my life that has contributed to this outcome.”

O’Neil Grant, popular trade unionist; veteran journalists Arthur Hall and Earl Moxam; and entertainers Wayne ‘Marshall’ Mitchell and Omar ‘Tarrus’ Riley are among those listed to join the OD.

Grant, the immediate past president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA), said he was truly humbled by the recognition.

“My work with the JCSA and as a public officer has been one of pride, giving service and leading by example and I’m really at a loss for words right now, and I honestly didn’t expect it, even though I have contributed as much as I possibly could,” he said, “I do believe that the love that I have for the work that I did has manifested in the recognition I am receiving, and I am truly grateful for the recognition, and I’m hoping that my work so far will be an example for others who are following, and they too will strive for the level of excellence that I would have strived for while I carried out my duties, both as a public officer and as president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association.”

Hall said it was an honour to know that his work was recognised.

“I’ve been doing journalism for 30 years, and I’ve never done it for awards and honours,” Hall told The Gleaner. “I’ve done it because it’s what I like and I think an informed public is a better public. As much as I can inform Jamaicans, that’s as much as I want to do, so if people believe my work deserves an award, I accept it with humility and grace, but my work will continue as a journalist, because I think educating the nation through journalism is a key role and it’s what I’m committed to.”

Mitchell, the singer who alongside his wife Tami Chynn and their family has become a social media sensation with their YouTube series, Meet The Mitchells,

said, he was particularly happy to be recognised for his contribution to reggae music.

“This recognition is a testament to my hard work and dedication throughout the years, and the unwavering support of my family. I am humbled by this acknowledgment and will continue to use my voice and platform to promote positivity through the power of entertainment and reggae music.

Ruel Grant and Keith Nugent, who both saved the lives of four females from a burning motor vehicle that exploded minutes later, will be the only people awarded with Badges of Honour for Gallantry this year.

The appointments to the Orders of the Societies of Honour and awards of Badges of Honour took effect on Independence Day.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com