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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie delivered the keynote address during the Graduation Exercise for 32 participants of the Centreville Urban Renewal Project Office's Computer Training Course. The Graduation Exercise was held October 4 at East Street Gospel Hall and was attended by Mrs. Cynthia "Mother" Pratt and Mr. Algernon Allen, Co-Chairs of the Urban Renewal Commission, Mr. Darren Turnquest, Director of Youth and other officials. (BIS Photo/Peter L. Ramsay)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas - Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie Thursday challenged the Co-Chairs of the Urban Renewal Commission to work assiduously towards increasing the number of youngsters learning and playing music under the auspices of the Urban Renewal bands across The Bahamas.
Former Parliamentarians and Cabinet Ministers Cynthia “Mother” Pratt and Algernon Allen serve as the Co-Chairs of the Commission.
Mr. Christie said his Government was prepared to assist the Programme as best as it can due to its significance to the development of communities.
“Let there be one thousand, two thousand, three thousand who are able to do this because you are actually giving them an opportunity to be smart,” Mr. Christie said. “You have to have a brain to be able to play music; you have to be smart to play music and when you look at some of the kids who are currently in the bands who are 8 and 9 years of age and can play multiple instruments, that is a special thing.
“The reaching out and lending a helping hand, the coaching, the providing them with an opportunity to be in uniform and to experience the pride of being recognised is very special,” Mr. Christie added.
Addressing the 2012 Graduation Class of the Centreville Urban Renewal Computer Programme, Mr. Christie said Urban Renewal is a “movement” that is intended to reach everyone in those communities where offices have been established, and to give young children, in particular, opportunities to develop their gifts and talents and to be the best they can be whether in the classroom, whether in the community, through music, or through sports and other activities.
(Thirty-two residents of the Centreville Community successfully completed the Computer Training Programme which was held at the Centreville Urban Renewal Project Office, located Deveaux Street.)
“The whole point of Urban Renewal is to recognise that there are children in particular in these communities who are exposed to circumstances that they were born into and that those circumstances are challenging for them,” Mr. Christie said.
“We must never give up on our children,” Mr. Christie continued, “the children who are taught music are taught discipline by the very nature of their trade. They have to be discipline to stay with it, to learn it and to be able to present themselves in a way, which is a magnificent development for them,” Mr. Christie added.
The Prime Minister said his Government was prepared to provide the Urban renewal Programme with the resources “as best we can” to ensure that their work is effective and it is work that is not just limited to this island, but the Family islands as well, “ because there are needs in other islands that we must meet.”
“This is something I believe in, something I am prepared to support and something I am prepared to dedicate the country’s finances too, to help those of you who are involved in this programme because there is a great need for it,” Mr. Christie said.
“I don’t apologise for introducing because I think it will go on to be something defining in this country.”
Mr. Christie applauded the graduates for their hard work and dedication to the programme, adding that their successful completion of the Computer literacy programme, should propel them to even greater heights and self fulfilment.
“I congratulate those of who graduated from the course because I know how you feel; because I know how I felt when I sent my first email; it‘s as if you have been released. Don’t stop now though, become even more proficient at it,” Mr. Christie added.
© Copyright 2012 by thebahamasweekly.com
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