By Sue-Ann Wayow
FORMER vice-president of FIFA Jack Warner will be honoured for his contribution to national development by the MP of the area where he grew up.
He is one of nine individuals who be awarded during the first Mayaro Legacy Awards event to be held on Thursday.
It is being held under the patronage of Member of Parliament for Mayaro Rushton Paray in association with bpTT, S&S Persad Supermarket, Maritime Financial Services, Novo Life, and other corporate entities.
In a media release on Thursday, Paray explained that the awards function was aimed at paying tribute to nationals from Mayaro and environs who have excelled in various professional fields of endeavour.
He added that some national achievers have remained unheralded despite a lifetime of outstanding and innovative work.
The MP hopes the awards would serve to inspire youths of rural communities, “many of whom are jaded by their environment into thinking that success is based on ethnicity, class and ‘who-know-who’ syndrome.”
The gala function would be held at bpTT Resource Centre, Beaumont Street, Mayaro, at 5 pm.
Professor Dilip Dan, an eminent medical surgeon who was born in Rio Claro, in the Mayaro constituency is carded to be the featured speaker.
The awardees as described by the Mayaro constituency office:
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Winston Dookeran, a renowned academic and prominent public official, who has served as a university professor, government minister, member of Parliament, and governor of the Central Bank and has written several authoritative books and policy documents, and advised various institutions.
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Dr Brinsley Samaroo, a foremost university professor, historian and author, whose exhaustive research, writings and lectures have chronicled critical aspects of the people and events of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean,
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Trevor Lynch, a groundbreaking entrepreneur in the energy-related sector, who has also served in senior capacities in the public sector and who has spawned satellite industries and provided vast opportunities for citizens of the community
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Sophia Chote, SC, a legal luminary who has excelled in various senior capacities in her profession and who is also the current President of the Law Association,
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Austin “Jack” Warner, a legendary international sports administrator and high-ranked public official, having served as a minister of government, member of Parliament and in other frontline policy-making positions;
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Dr William Dhanessar, an illustrious medical practitioner, researcher and senior administrator, who has also authored definitive books on his specialisation, oncology;
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Michael Anthony, a celebrated and prolific author whose researched books are a reliable source of essential historic material and a timeless record of an emerging Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean society,
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Ken Ali, a veteran journalist who has worked on all platforms as an editor, investigative reporter, commentator and administrator, and was involved in landmark national issues pertaining to press freedom;
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Matthew Pierre, an outstanding basketball player who performed with a Caribbean All-Star team and who currently coaches youths and serves the community in social, cultural and sporting endeavours.
A most fitting tribute to be paid to these icons and nation builders by the people of Mayaro to their sons and daughters who have placed Mayaro on the nation-building landscape with some deserving pride. Congratulations to all the honourees.