NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Lanisha Rolle officially announced the launch of national Youth Month, on October 1, 2018, and brought special attention to Mrs. Elma Garraway, who is only the third person to receive the National Lifetime Achievement Award for her role in youth development. 

“Firstly, I wish to acknowledge my Ministry’s decision to pay tribute to Mrs. I. Elma Garraway, retired educator, public officer, active youth development worker, former commissioner and benefactor of The Bahamas Girl Guides Association,” Minister Rolle said at a press conference held at her Ministry's University Drive Head Office. 

Among those also joining Minister Rolle in welcoming Mrs. Garraway to the Ministry were Acting Permanent Secretary Ms. Rhoda Jackson and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director of Youth K. Darron Tunquest.  “Mrs. Garraway has been at the centre of strategic youth engagement in our nation for decades, and despite her retirement, continues to serve in the Girl Guides Association and the Templeton Foundation’s outreach programmes," Minister Rolle added. 

“Mrs. Garraway will receive the National Lifetime Achievement Award and will serve as patron of a number of events during which youth leaders from across the country will also be recognized for their contributions towards the effective engagement of our nation’s youth.” 

In that context, Minister Rolle stated, her Ministry would host a series of events and encouraged the participation of all Bahamians, and she brought focus to a  few of them, inclusive of the event titled “Turn Up for Jesus”, that will begin the month with a spiritual emphasis event, and was scheduled for Friday, October 5, 2018 at the Balliou Hill Road Youth Centre, at 7:30 p.m. “Bahamian Christian party master 'DJ GODSON' (who was also in attendance at the Launching event that day) will lead the Praise Party featuring other church groups, choirs and gospel artists in an event which promises to engage the entire surrounding communities,” she said. “Churches are especially encouraged to bring their young people to the event which will be free of charge.” 

Also, the National Youth Month Rally and March will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2018, starting at 2:30 p.m. with a brief rally and leaving from Clifford Park at 3:00 p.m., Minister Rolle said.  Minister Rolle is pictured seated, right, with Mrs. Garraway; and they join Darron Turnquest and Rhoda Jackson in group photo.   (BIS Photos / Eric Rose)