Nat’l awards ceremony moves to indoor sports centre
Published:Saturday | October 19, 2024 | 12:09 AM
Two hundred and thirty-two Jamaicans will be officially recognised for their contribution to nation-building, during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards 2024, on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 21, starting at 9 a.m.
Because of the inclement weather, this year, the ceremony will be hosted at the National Indoor Sports Centre at the National Stadium, instead of the customary lawns of King’s House.
This year, eight Jamaicans will receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ); 30 persons will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (in the rank of Commander [CD]; 38 will be conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer [OD]; two civilians will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry {BH(G)}; 35 persons will be conferred with the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service {BH(M)}; and 35 with the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.
Several members of the uniformed groups will be awarded the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service – six from the Jamaica Defence Force, 26 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 27 from the Department of Correctional Services, and 24 from the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
The ceremony, to be presided over by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, will be streamed live on the JIS website at www.jis.gov.jm.
Award recipients are asked to arrive at the venue at 7:30 a.m., and all guests should be seated by 8 a.m.
Under the National Honours and Awards Act, promulgated on July 18, 1969, provision is made for outstanding Jamaicans to be conferred with one of the honours of the Orders of the six Societies of Honour. The six honours are Order of National Hero, Order of the Nation, Order of Excellence, Order of Merit, Order of Jamaica and the Order of Distinction. There is also the Medal or Badge of Honour, which recognises gallantry and meritorious service.