Remarks By Zhivargo S. Laing
Member of Parliament
For Marco City And Founder Of The Marco City Youth Leadership Institute Opening Session
Saturday, November 5, 2011
When I became the Member of Parliament for Marco City in May 2007, I searched for ways to make a difference in my constituency. I started a scholarship programme, a computer centre, a lending library, a backyard farming programme, a roof repair programme for elderly persons and a number of annual events for children and adults in the community. Yet, I searched for a way to assist further our young people, especially those leaving school soon.
You see, it had for some time seemed unfortunate to me that senior students did not seem to have a programme to help transition them into the world of adulthood. So often, they went from children told what to do on the day before graduation to adults being expected to know what to do on the day after graduation. It seemed to me that it would be helpful for them to have a period of time in which they could clearly learn some of the practical things that would help them develop more fully as adults. Among these things is leadership skills which would not only help them manage their own personal affairs but also position them for outstanding earning and service opportunities in our nation.
Drawing on an experience I had as a high school student, through a programme called the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Programme, I decided on this programme that brings us here today, the Marco City Youth Leadership institute for Senior Students. For one Saturday in each month for nine months, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. this programme provides opportunities for high school seniors to receive valuable information, practical experience and unique exposure to develop their leadership skills. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I might note here that while the programme is called the “Marco City” Youth Leadership Institute, having originated in this constituency, but it caters to students from throughout the island, representing virtually every school. I did this because I thought that the opportunity was such that it should be available as broadly as possible to students on the island. An open invitation was extended to all seniors on the island and those you see here today are those that responded positively.
Help young people develop discretion, a sense of purpose and the courage to be themselves and you prepare them handsomely for the world of adulthood. Give them leadership and they will not only thrive in that world, they will make it a better place than they met it. As leaders, we have the ability to assist our young people this way and we should do so.
I am grateful to the various professionals and organizations that eagerly make themselves available for this programme. Prime Minister, you recently invited the nation to enter a new era of volunteerism. I can tell you Sir that this programme is made possible through volunteerism. Professionals from both here in Grand Bahama and New Providence participate at no expense to the programme. I especially thank Barefoot Marketing, a local public relations firm that serves as administrator for the programme.
The gentleman that I now have the privilege to introduce is a leader’s leader. He has demonstrated so many of the tangible and impressive qualities of leadership. He is visionary, transformative, reformative, informative, industrious, decisive and caring. To work with him has been my life’s honour and to learn from him has been my great privilege. I say without fear of contradiction and fully conscious of the fact that he would prefer I did not say so, but his contribution to this nation cannot be measured. His sacrifice is enormous. We are a better people and a better nation because of his leadership over some fifteen non-consecutive years.
When he consented to be the guest speaker at this opening session of the Marco City Youth Leadership Institute, I knew that he had agreed to give these young men and women of The Bahamas a golden opportunity to hear from one of our nation’s most gifted and productive leaders ever. I know personally how challenged his schedule is and express gratitude that he found time to be here today. I urge you to listen and listen carefully to our nation’s leader, for he speaks from a wealth of knowledge and experience on this important issue of leadership.
Ladies and gentlemen, students of the MCYLI, I present to you, the Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Right Hon. Hubert A.Ingraham.
