126 to receive national honours, awards today
Published:Monday | October 16, 2023 | 12:09 AM
Reverend Howard Gregory, head of the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica, is among five people who will be inducted into the Order of Jamaica (OJ) as the island today bestows national honours on 126 exemplary Jamaicans.
Membership in the OJ is the country’s fourth-highest honour and is awarded to Jamaican citizens of outstanding distinction.
Ahead of the National Honours and Awards Ceremony, a beaming Gregory yesterday told The Gleaner that he was beyond elated and humbled by the recognition while crediting those who played a part in his achievement.
Noting further that it came as a surprise, sparking a few teardrops, Gregory said, “It is a humbling feeling to be recognised by my country in this way for my contribution as well as, it’s not just me, whatever I have achieved, other people have been a part of my life and the work I do.
“My work is primarily with people, so people have helped to make me who I am and with the contribution that I make, so I am grateful for the recognition and I certainly hope to continue to bring this kind of honour to my country as I have tried to do in the past,” he added.
The other OJ membership recipients are former Cabinet Minister Audley Shaw; legendary Jamaican singer Marcia Griffiths; Charles Johnston, chairman of Jamaica Freight & Shipping Company Limited; and Paul Barnaby ‘PB’ Scott, chairman and chief executive officer 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 is being recognised for 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 Jamaicans will be 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).
Attorney-at-law Patrick Foster, who is being inducted into the Order of Distinction, said he is equally thrilled and honoured to be recognised.
“I am pleased that I have been bestowed with the CD, and it’s satisfying to be recognised for the work that I have done over the years both in the public service and as an attorney-at-law.
“This is my first national award and it is very special to me. It is really appreciated,” he said.
Well-known businessman and philanthropist Andrew Mahfood Mahfood, who is also the CEO of Wisynco Group and chairman of Food For The Poor Jamaica, was also overjoyed.
“I am pleased that my contributions to the development, growth, and expansion of our country have 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 contribute even more to nation-building,” he previously told The Gleaner.
Other awardees include Collette Roberts Risden, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; Dr Ashburn Pinnock, president, The MICO University College; and Professor Lloyd 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.
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 who will be recognised for joining the OD today.
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 previously 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,” he stated earlier in August.
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.
Twenty-eight persons will also be honoured with the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BH{M}) and 28 with the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.
The appointments to the Orders of the Societies of Honour and awards of Badges of Honour took effect on Independence Day.