By Sue-Ann Wayow
THERE was one recipient of the nation’s highest award for the year 2020.
The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago awarded for Distinguished and Outstanding Service to the country was given to Dr Wayne Frederick for his invaluable contribution to medicine and education.
Dr Frederick along with several others received their 2020 national awards on Monday during a ceremony at the President’s House in St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain.
The awards ceremony usually held in September was postponed for 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Frederick is currently serving as the distinguished Charles R. Drew Endowed Chair of Surgery at the Howard University College of Medicine. He is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, abstracts, and editorials, and is a widely recognised expert on disparities in healthcare and medical education. In April 2020, he became the first-ever recipient of the Educator Award from the Lowell F Hawthorne Foundation Incorporated.
Following is a list of the other awardees:
Recipients of the Chaconia Medal (gold) for long and meritorious service are:
Retired Justice Rolston Nelson for his contribution to law and business.
Justice Nelson was appointed Visitor of the University of the West Indies on May 1, 2019, a position held previously by the Queen of England. He is also the author of several articles and case notes that appear in legal journals, and served as a Court of Appeal judge. He has been an Associate Tutor of the Hugh Wooding Law School since 1978 and the editor of The Lawyer, the journal of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, since 1987.
Professor Stephan Gift for contribution to engineering.
Professor Gift is the youngest Ph.D. graduate in the history of the Faculty of Engineering. He has published over 85 papers in peer-reviewed journals and has received numerous awards for his contribution in the field of electrical and electronic engineering.He is a Member of the Caribbean Academy of Science, a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and a Fellow of the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago.
Orville London, former High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago for dedication to education and public service.
London’s teaching career spanned 23 years. His last job in the Teaching Service was Principal of the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School. He was also appointed as a Senator in the Parliament, served as a Councillor in the Tobago House of Assembly, and for four consecutive terms served as Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly. He was appointed as High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Kingdom in 2017, and accredited as non-resident, Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of Finland, and the Kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Medical practitioner Dr Emanuel Hosein for the empowerment of disabled persons
Dr Hosein founded the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of Disabled Peoples’ International in June 1985, and is the current Chairman. He has served as Member of the World Panel of Experts on Disability, on the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board. He actively advocates on behalf of the disabled for their human rights in the areas of access to public buildings, signage in public places, and legislation for the rights of disabled people in Trinidad and Tobago.
Composer Errol Ince for contributions to music and culture
Ince enjoyed seven decades as a successful musician, composer, arranger, producer, and recording artiste. As a global cultural ambassador, he performed, recorded and toured internationally, with world renowned bands. He has shaped the sound of lead trumpet in calypso, and has had an undeniable effect on the overall sound of calypso music.
Librarian and journalist Debbie Jacob for humanitarian work
Jacob is President of the Wishing for Wings Foundation, which sponsors many skill-based programmes. She has performed charitable work within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Canine Branch. She has also contributed to the preparation of the Prison population for re-entry into society.
Author Dr Lakshmi Seeterram-Persaud for literature
Dr Seeterram-Persaud’s short stories have been used in the education and development of children. Her novels, which promote Trinidad and Tobago, and Trinidadian and Caribbean women, have received international acclaim. They have been used in Caribbean and post-colonial literature courses in universities in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Pundit Hari Prasad for religion and culture (posthumously)
Pundit Prasad founded the SWAHA International, the Society Working for the Advancement of Human Aspirations, in 1993. He was bestowed the title Ramayana and honoured by the International Meditation Society and the National Council of Indian Culture for his contribution to the development of Hinduism.
The Chaconia Medal (silver) awardees are:
Retired educator Maureen Clement for community service, music and prison reform
Clement is an educator, musician, arranger, and mentor, who has spearheaded music programmes for several senior and junior steel bands across Trinidad and Tobago, including the introduction of pan in the classroom. She formed the prisoners band, Musical Vibrations, and introduced The Prisoners Journey Programme, which has been successful in transforming the lives of the prisoners.
Former coach Edgar Vidale for sport and community service
Vidale is a former coach of the National Football Senior Team that under his charge, achieved the highest place of the national football teams. He has served as Technical Director of National Football, 2nd Vice President of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association in charge of technical development and member of the Trinidad Cricket Council. He has also served as Secretary of the Annual Palo Seco Games Committee.
Composer Ken “Professor” for contribution to the Steelband Music (posthumously)
Philmore dedicated his life to promoting the versatility of pan music on the national instrument all over the world. He was the first pannist to perform at the Black Entertainment Television Jazz Central (BET). He promoted pan globally as Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument. His love for Trinidad and Tobago, his passion, heart and musical prowess have served as inspiration for pannists to aspire to the heights of musical excellence.
Asgar Ali for business
Ali is a founding member of Weldfab Limited one of the Caribbean’s leading providers of mechanical, welding and fabricating, and plant construction and maintenance services. He was the Managing Director for the first 32 years of the company’s existence. Mr. Ali also serves as a non-executive director on the boards of many welding and fabricating companies.
Recipients of the Humming Bird Medal (gold) for loyal and devoted service, gallantry or other humane action:
Urologist Dr Lester Goetz for medicine
Dr Goetz has made the greatest contribution to urology in the Caribbean. He developed a urology ward at the San Fernando General Hospital, and started a training programme in urology, in which most of the urologists in Trinidad and Tobago were trained. Those efforts led to the development of high-quality urology services now available locally. Dr Goetz has received many awards and prizes for outstanding service in urology.
Jeweller and designer Gillian Bishop for arts and culture
Bishop co-founded The Signature Collection, a company that sells precious one-of-a-kind jewellery. She has created costume designs for many performing arts entities, designed many major trophies and awards, jewellery and gifts for various world leaders, and ceremonial jewellery and vestments for Roman Catholic and Anglican Bishops of the region. Bishop’s work is held in private collections all over the world.
Journalist Dominic Kalipersad for contribution to journalism
Kalipersad is the longest serving on-air broadcaster in local media. He pioneered investigative television journalism, and stands as a role model in displaying the highest standards in responsible journalism, and in his execution of television broadcasting. He initiated the introduction of all night programming on the Trinidad Broadcasting Company (TBC) network, and transformed the style of television news presenting to a more relaxed modern approach.
Former broadcaster Reeanna Harrilal for community service, education and empowerment
Harrilal donated her home to set up the Lupus Learning Resource Center, the first of its kind, where lupus patients from all over Trinidad and Tobago go to get assistance. She has single-handedly assisted in providing food hampers, wheelchairs, and walkers, and offering emotional support, counselling and education to them and their families.
Neil Guiseppi for contribution to media and culture.
Guiseppi launched a revolution in TTT’s news coverage by taking the cameras to the streets and giving the people of Trinidad and Tobago a voice for the first time. He launched Radio Tempo 105.1FM, the first radio in the nation’s history that was dedicated exclusively to local music, culture and sport.
Professor Emerita Kari Polanyi Levitt for economics and education
Professor Levitt has authored over 100 published articles and 15 published books in Development Economics. Her work is mandatory reading for university students in Economics and Social Studies in Trinidad and Tobago. Her contributions have had a direct impact on economic policy and development in Trinidad and Tobago.
Accountant Ainsley Mark for community service (posthumously)
Mark worked tirelessly to strengthen the institutional and professional capacity of credit unions and trade unions, as well as Pan Trinbago and other national bodies committed to social and community development. He was instrumental in raising funds and instigating projects for students and teachers of his Alma Mater, Queen’s Royal College.
Recipients of the Humming Bird Medal (silver) are:
Dr Indrawatee Haraksingh for education
Dr Haraksingh has pioneered significant work on renewable energy since 1985 at the national, regional and international levels. She developed the first Master of Science Degree in Renewable Energy Technology in the region. She has selflessly ran the Trinidad and Tobago Mathematics Olympiad on a voluntary basis and has served as Leader of the National Math Olympiad Team to the International Math Olympics for over 25 years.
Artist/Designer Gregory Medina for Arts/Costume Design
Medina has produced Kings, Queens and Individuals of Bands for Senior and Junior Carnival. He has received a number of awards locally, regionally and internationally for his work. As a charitable gesture, he collaborated with Christopher Santos in creating a Junior Carnival Band for the St. Dominic’s Children’s Home and has been involved in United Way’s Project Care since 2017.
Music composer Oliver Chapman for music and culture
Chapman is a prolific singer, songwriter, musician, producer and cultural ambassador, who has contributed to the enrichment and elevation of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture. He has had creative collaborations and has provided background vocals with revered artistes such as Lord Kitchener, Lancelot Layne, Mighty Duke, Lord Shorty, Brother Valentino and Junior Byron.
Artist/Designer Christopher Santos forArt/Costume Design
Santos has produced Kings, Queens and Individuals of Bands for Senior and Junior Carnival. He has received a number of awards locally, regionally and internationally for his work. As a charitable gesture, he collaborated with Gregory Medina in creating a Junior Carnival Band for the St. Dominic’s Children’s Home and has been involved in United Way’s Project Care since 2017.
Sister Kawalee Narinesingh for community service
Sister Narinesingh is the Coordinator of the Raj Yoga Prison Ministry, in which she volunteered to serve, since its inception in 1988. She has had an immeasurable impact on the prison population as the leading light in the programme, Connecting the inside with the Outside, in which inmates are given tuition to develop their artistic skills.
Edwin Ayoung (Crazy) for his contribution to music and culture
Ayoung has been credited as the pioneer of soca parang – an indigenous blend of Spanish and English music and lyrics. He has worked with top steelband arrangers, including Ray Holman, Jit Samaroo, Clive Bradley, Robert Greenidge, and Boogsie Sharpe, and has collaborated with the Swedish band, Soca Rebels on cross – cultural projects.
Clifton Ryan (Mighty Bomber), for music and culture (posthumously)
Ryan has positively and consistently contributed to the elevation of the calypso art form and Trinidad and Tobago’s culture on the local and international stages for seven decades. He wrote the timeless Portrait of Trinidad, made famous by the Mighty Sniper. He mentored, cultivated the talents of, and co-wrote songs for many calypsonians.
Hummingbird Medal (bronze) recipients are:
Charles Mitchell for gallantry
Mitchell was at Marshall’s Lotto Booth & Bar at the corner of Cipero and Sutton Street, San Fernando, on September 11, 2019. At about 11 am, two men with firearms entered the premises, fired shots and announced a hold-up. Mitchell stood his ground, observed what was taking place, and caused a distraction. This gave him time to draw his licensed firearm and challenge both gunmen. Mitchell’s actions resulted in the death of one of the men and injury to the other.
The Public Service Medal of Merit (gold) for outstanding service awardees are:
Herwald Elder for education
Elder, upon his retirement from the Valsayn Teachers’ College, established his school, Elder’s Classes, in 1993. He has given scholarships to socially marginalized youths, and has taught and mentored thousands of students, who have earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. He is a premier educator, who continues to make a valuable contribution to education and national development.
Visual artist Carlisle Harris for culture and education
Harris is a practicing artist with a record of several group and solo exhibitions in Trinidad and Tobago, the US, London and Nigeria. He is the founding lecturer of the Graphics Design programme at the John Donaldson Technical Institute, where he served for over 20 years, retiring as Vice-Principal. He also served as the President of the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago for many years.
Girdharry Seerattansingh for education
Seerattansingh served as principal of the San Francique Hindu School from 1996 – 2009. He transformed the school into a premier and flagship school of the Maha Sabha and the Ministry of Education. He improved teacher development and encouraged a strong and vibrant Parent Teachers Association. In 2010, the San Francique Hindu School was declared by the Ministry of Education to be the Best Primary School in the nation.
Dr Verleen Bobb-Lewis for education
Dr Bobb-Lewis has had an illustrious career as an educator, motivator, calypso composer, and skit and short play writer. She expanded tertiary education in Tobago by inviting the UWI, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business to deliver programmes in Tobago.
Wilma Collins, radiographer for radiology
Collins was the first President of the Society of Radiographers and the first Registrar of the Council of Professions Related to Medicine, a position which she still holds. She is known as the “oracle of radiography” a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge on the subject. Her pursuits have had a significant impact on the provision of higher quality diagnostic and therapeutic care locally and in the Caribbean region.
Sister Marie –Therese for public service
Sr Rétout established infrastructure for child development at Catholic homes for children. She has authored 10 publications on religious life and development. She has been involved in education and public service for over 70 years and is still working at the age of 98. Sr Rétout has nurtured and mentored thousands of citizens.
Elton Nelson for education(posthumously)
Nelson pioneered the common entrance practice tests pull-out in local newspapers. He introduced school-based and heads of department management and initiated the integration of computers into the school’s curriculum. He published Metric is Simple, followed by A Guide to Metric is Simple and Test Yourself in Metric Units. He co-authored the text My Land with Gloria Pollard, which was a comprehensive repository of social studies information on Trinidad and Tobago, encompassing the Standard 5 Social Studies syllabus.
And the Medal for the Development of Women (gold) given for the development of women’s rights and issues was awarded to Terry Ince who is the founder of the non-governmental organization for the national development of women and girls. She brings stakeholders together to discuss on a national level current affairs issues that impact the development of women and the implementation of national solutions to these issues.
On Wednesday, the 2021 awardees will receive their awards in a similar ceremony.
