![](https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Yolande-Howard-receives-cheque-for-Sagicor-Lighting-Ceremony.jpg)
The annual Lighting Ceremony continues to be supported by Sagicor Life Inc.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, received the sponsorship cheque for the Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony and Bajan Brew from title sponsor Sagicor Life Inc. on Friday at the Ministry’s headquarters at Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.
The Lighting Ceremony, which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 1, signals the start of the Independence Celebrations in Barbados and is a symbol of development and growth.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Yolande Howard, noting that Sagicor had been a partner for several years, lauded the institution.
“We have a private sector partner that has come on board every year to assist us in being able to promote our independent status, but also to promote the fact that we want to have Barbadians feel that sense of nationalism and pride and also, industry.
Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony & Bajan Brew On November 1
“Sagicor has recognised the importance of that promotion. I am therefore very grateful and on behalf of the Government of Barbados and the people, we thank Sagicor Life Inc. for its continued contribution,” she stated.
Sagicor has contributed to the celebration for 26 years and Executive Vice President and General Manager, Paul Inniss, who made the contribution on behalf of Sagicor Life Inc., said he was delighted and stated that his company was “committed to improving the lives of the people in the communities in which they operate.”
Mr. Inniss highlighted that COVID-19 had hindered the celebration last year, but said Sagicor was quite happy to have the celebration once again as a public event.
He expressed that the young athlete selected to flip the switch, Gabriel Babb, a nine-year-old swimmer was a great choice. “In celebrating Barbados, we’re celebrating our youth, those who are the foundation and the future of our country and that is fantastic news to us at Sagicor,” the Executive Vice President stated.
The contribution from Sagicor was a cheque in the amount of BDS $25,000 and Mr. Inniss stressed, “We see it as part of our responsibility to give back financially and otherwise, to ensure that our people actually have the best opportunity to grow, develop and be the best that they can be.”
He urged all Barbadians to come out and get involved in the celebrations.