Tuck band performers from the Haynesville Youth Group on stage at the Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony yesterday. (Photo courtesy of Himal Reece)


To build a better Barbados with strength and unity, there is a need for Barbadians to work together with strong community spirit at heart.

This charge came from Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, as he delivered the feature address at the Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony in National Heroes’ Square, The City, last night.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Culture, Mr. Blackett urged Barbadians to embrace their roles within the community.

“The community is at the heart of a nation; it is where our citizens reside. They vary in complexity but together make up the fabric of Barbadian society,” he stated, noting that the differences among individuals should be tools for enrichment.

While encouraging persons to engage in community togetherness, Mr. Blackett commented that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth continued to carry out its role as “the vanguard when it comes to building community spirit, social cohesion and unity”.

Saxophonist, Shakhouri Thompson, performing at the Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony in National Heroes’ Square, The City, last night. (Photo courtesy of Himal Reece)

He said that through several of its community engagement programmes, the Ministry has had “a measure of success” when intervening in troubled communities, and highlighted the Community Block Draughts Tournament and the work of the Ministry’s Youth Division.

The Minister also commended community volunteers within the Parish Independence Committees; the various attendants and all others involved with the Ministry’s Community Independence Celebrations. The Minister also gave “a big thank you” to Sagicor Life Inc. for its support over the years.

He also encouraged the public to come to the various events, specifically mentioning the Spirit of the Nation Show, which will be held on Saturday, November 18, at Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, Wildey, St. Michael, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

jamal.weekes@barbados.gov.bb

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