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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE – Immigration Recruit Devaughn Anderson was the recipient of the ‘Award of Excellence’ during the Passing Out Ceremony of Squad A on Thursday at the Gerald A. Bartlett Complex. He is shown receiving the award from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Hon. Frederick Mitchell. At left is Assistant Director of Immigration Hubert E. Ferguson. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)
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FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - Ten new Immigration Officers were honoured during their graduation ceremony, Thursday, at the Gerald A. Bartlett Complex, the first ceremony held on the island in five years.
Twenty-seven year old Recruit Devaughn Anderson, a graduate of Grand Bahama Catholic High and the College of the Bahamas, won the ‘Award of Excellence.’ He noted he had always liked law enforcement, and when the opportunity came up to join the Department of Immigration, he took it.
Said the award winner -- “I had the opportunity to work at the Department of Immigration briefly, on contract, and was able to see what it is they do. I became more interested and passionate about learning how to protect the borders of The Bahamas and the sovereignty of The Bahamas. I think it is an honourable career and profession to have, so that you can give back to your country that keeps the borders of The Bahamas secure.”
Three officers were recognized for their efforts: ‘Instructor’s Award,’ Immigration Recruit, Tristan Laing; ‘Director’s Award,’ Immigration Recruit, Tericka Bullard; and the ‘Award of Excellence,’ Immigration Recruit, Devaughn Anderson.
Among those in attendance were Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister, the Hon. Frederick Mitchell, who inspected the recruits and gave the keynote address; and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville; members of the Senate and senior Immigration Officers.
In the past families and friends have not had the opportunity to witness the Passing Out of their loved ones, as they did on this occasion, due to the number of graduates in the squad. With only one or two, they would be flown to Nassau and included in the ceremony there; however, Squad A consisted of a sufficiently large number of recruits to warrant Grand Bahama having its own ceremony.
Minister Darville said it was an honour to stand and see young Grand Bahamians taking full opportunity of what the Department of Immigration has to offer.
He took the opportunity to thank and congratulate all Immigration officers on Grand Bahama for their efforts.
Minister Darville said the recruits had been prepared with the skills and ability to stand in the front lines to protect the Bahamian borders and protect the country. He said, “They have been prepared to do what is right and to live a life of integrity, decency and self respect, while at the same time promoting awesome values for other young people, so that they can emulate what you are about to do in this country.”
Also giving a brief welcome was Assistant Director of Immigration, Mr. H.E. Ferguson who said, “today marks a new beginning of the building up of the Northern Region of the Bahamas Immigration Department manpower structure. Squad A is a new generation of officers whose commitment and loyalty to the task ahead is expected to be unquestionable.”
The officers, he said, were trained over the past several months in a variety of job related courses and techniques, designed to equip them to serve the country and the public at large. He said he was satisfied that the sharing of information, experience, and advice by their instructors were enough for them to build a stellar career. “We all embrace them into an organization which demands honesty, integrity, compassion, fairness and trustworthiness,” he said.
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