By LEDEDRA MARCHE
Bahamas Information Services

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas, January 8, 2025  – Governor General, Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt paid a special visit to West Grand Bahama to meet with the students, staff and administration at West End Primary School as well as the seniors in the community.

Her Excellency was in Grand Bahama on the occasion of her official annual visit at the Rand Memorial Hospital and told the youngsters that she wanted to visit with them before returning home.

During the special ceremony on January 7, 2025, the students serenaded the Governor General and her entourage with songs and listened attentively.

She told the students about her upbringing in a home with 15 other siblings, a poor girl who beat the odds and didn’t let her circumstances define her.

Dame Cynthia encouraged the youngsters to stay in school, use their God-given gifts and take advantage of the opportunities that are presented before them.

“Keep trying. Listen to your teachers.  …You are brilliant kids. We are depending on you. I was your age but God raised me up where I am head of this entire country and God can do it to you too. God’s hand is upon you,” she said.

Principal Bridgette Farrington thanked Her Excellency for choosing West End Primary and exclaimed how excited they were that she had graced them with her presence.

Her Excellency then had lunch with the elderly in the community at the St. Mary Magdalene Parish Hall where she emphasized their importance in laying the foundation for the next generation.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini Kingsley Smith also expressed to the seniors how invaluable they are to the community.

“You are important to this community. You are the treasures of your family. You are the ones who preserve the traditional and cultural values of the community and without you such will be lost,” he said.

Permanent Secretary for Government Jack Thompson; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama Joel Lewis; Deputy Director of Education Michelle Bowleg; Senator Kirkland Russell and representatives from Local Government and Urban Renewal were also in attendance.

Photo Caption: Governor General, Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt made an extra special visit to West End Primary School and met with the seniors in the community at St. Mary Magdalene’s Parish Hall on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)

New Providence, The Bahamas – Scotiabank Bahamas was named Bank of the Year 2024 by the international financial publication, The Banker. The Bank received the award after successfully updating its online banking solution to include options to update personal information and setting up recurring transfers.

In addition to the updates, the Bank increased its security features to assist clients with monitoring personal account activities and also improved merchant services solutions by providing business operators with the ability to access real-time data thereby making it more convenient to process third-party transactions.

“Our focus on improving the client experience and delivering exceptional value has helped to propel our business forward. We will continue to invest and innovate to ensure that we remain the bank for every future,” says Roger Archer, managing director of Scotiabank Bahamas.

Scotiabank also received the prestigious award for operations in Canada, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank’s vision is to be our clients’ most trusted financial partner and deliver sustainable, profitable growth. Guided by our purpose: “for every future,” we help our clients, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With assets of approximately $1.4 trillion (as at October 31, 2024), Scotiabank is one of the largest banks in North America by assets, and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on X @Scotiabank.

MIAMI (Dec. 31, 2024) – Carnival Corporation & plc brought the spirit of the holidays to life through a series of heartwarming engagements with local communities across the Caribbean this December, strengthening ties and creating unforgettable moments for children and families.

Festive Celebrations Light Up Grand Bahama

On December 7, Carnival partnered with the Royal Bahamas Police Force to host a vibrant Christmas celebration for the Grand Bahama community at the Gerald Bartlett Police Complex in Freeport. The event featured caroling, festive activities, a tree-lighting ceremony, and a toy giveaway by Santa himself. Attendees enjoyed free food, sweet treats, crafts, and appearances by beloved Christmas characters, creating a joyful atmosphere for children and families.

Holiday Fun for Students in Grand Turk

On December 11, Carnival Vista hosted 79 students and staff from Grand Turk’s Eliza Simons Primary School for a day of holiday fun. The children were treated to a ship tour, lunch and a visit from Santa, who handed out toys and goody bags to each student. The event was also attended by key representatives from the Grand Turk Cruise Center, making it a memorable celebration of community connection.

Caroling on Board with P&O Cruises in Barbados

On December 13, P&O Cruises’ Britannia welcomed 20 students from St. Mary’s Primary School, one of the oldest primary schools in Barbados, for a special Christmas caroling event. Led by their music teacher and principal, the students performed traditional carols like Away in a Manger and Joy to the World in the ship’s Atrium, delighting passengers with their melodic holiday cheer. The event concluded with festive afternoon tea on board.

Brightening Spirits at St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital in Jamaica

On December 17, a 15-member team from Carnival Horizon volunteered at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, bringing holiday cheer to the children’s ward. The team read to the children, distributed toys donated by Chukka Caribbean Adventures and sang carols, creating a festive atmosphere for the young patients and their families. This collaborative effort, which included partners Chukka Foundation and Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), received praise from the hospital’s CEO, Delroy Morgan, and St. Ann’s Bay Mayor, Michael Belnavis.

Through these engagements, Carnival Corporation continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting Caribbean communities, spreading goodwill and making the holidays brighter for all. For more information about Carnival Corporation’s commitment to its Caribbean partnerships, visit carnivalcorp.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: 

Insert: Team members from the Carnival Horizon, along with Santa and Charlene Drakes, Manager of Stakeholder Engagements, Caribbean Region at Carnival Corporation (crouching at right) brought festive cheer to the children’s ward at St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital on December 17.