FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, told 33 graduates that leaders give and expect nothing in return.

Minister Wilchcombe was the keynote speaker at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Youth Leaders’ Certification Programme held on Saturday, July 2, in the Royal Palm Room of Grand Lucayan Resort.

The Minister said that leadership is by action and not a person’s name or their title. They bring and cause change, walk alone, stand when others sit, and leaders make a difference. The actions of a leader speaker louder than their words.

He told the graduates that it is up to them to determine what they do with and the value of their certification. They must reflect on where they are, where they have been and where they are going.

Minister Wilchcombe noted that The Bahamas, a small nation, is about to celebrate its 49^th Independence and has achieved so much in a short period of time. He mentioned four Rhodes Scholars, NBA International Drafts, international baseball players and other notable achievements that have put the country on the map.

Referencing the wealthiest man in Grand Bahama, Havard Cooper who was from the small community of Pinder’s Point.  He had no college degree but had the will to lead and succeed.

Leadership is by example, said the Minister, and if in a leadership position, you cannot say something and do something else because people will follow what you do. “You must demonstrate this every day, no matter what position you are in.”

“We can’t expect our country to be better if we don’t make it better,” said the Minister and added that leaders give and expect nothing in return.

Leaders should unite to help make the change in the country, he added.

“Together, we can change our nation and make it the greatest nation in the world,” the Minister said.

PROGRAMME PARTICIPANTS – Participants of the Youth Leaders’ Certification Programme were on Saturday, July 2 presented with certificates during their graduation ceremony in the Royal Palm Room at the Grand Lucayan Resort. The graduates are seen with the Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe who was the keynote speaker (seated center); Norris Bain, Deputy Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture; Carla Brown-Roker, Youth Programmes Coordinator, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture; Senator the Hon. Kirk Russell, Deputy Director of Urban Renewal; and Apostle Kenneth Miller, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)

ENCOURAGING WORDS – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, on Saturday, July 2 urged the 33 graduates of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture Youth Leaders’ Certification Programme to be strong leaders. The ceremony was held in the Royal Palm Room of Grand Lucayan Resort. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)