Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Her Excellency, Paula-Mae Weekes, the Honourable Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Mrs. Sharon Rowley came together for the Presentation Ceremony of the National Awards 2022 held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts today (Saturday 24th September, 2022).
The event marked the celebration of the 53rd anniversary of the National Awards ceremony.
Prime Minister Dr the Hon Keith Rowley congratulates The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago recipient Dr. Roshan Parasram. Dr Roshan Parsram served his country with distinction during the uncertainty and disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. As Chief Medical Officer, he stewarded the nation through highs and lows, his unflappable demeanour and professional approach providing much-needed calm amidst the Covid-19 storm. He was awarded in the Sphere of Public Health.
The Chaconia Medal, Gold recipient Dr. Avery Hinds. Dr Hinds is the Technical Director, Epidemiology Division, Ministry of Health. Dr Aveary Hinds has played a critical role in the nation’s fight against COVID-19, leading our epidemiological strategy and helping demystify Covid-19 during a truly challenging and uncertain period in our history. He was awarded in the Sphere of Leadership in Public Health Service.
The Chaconia Medal, Gold recipient Dr. Michelle Trotman. Dr Michelle Trotman has led an illustrious career dedicated to public service. Dr Trotman enrolled nursing assistants and registered nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic and was instrumental in the development of national guidelines for the management of Covid-19 patients. She was awarded in the Sphere of Leadership in Public Health Service.
The Chaconia Medal, Gold recipient Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards. Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards is the Principal Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health and has been a sterling contributor to healthcare delivery during the uncertainty and disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. She was awarded in the Sphere of Leadership in Public Health Service.
The Chaconia Medal, Gold recipient Professor Christine Carrington. Professor Christine Carrington serves on the Technical Advisory Group on Immunization to the Ministry of Health, the UWI COVID-19 Task Force as well as numerous international boards and organisations. She was awarded in the Sphere of Leadership in Molecular Genetics and Virology.
The Chaconia Medal, Silver recipient Professor Emeritus Gordon Rohlehr. Professor Emeritus Gordon Rohlehr designed and taught the first course in West Indian Literature at the University of the West Indies and was central to the introduction and teaching of American Literature and Postcolonial Literature. He pioneered the academic study of calypso and traced its historical development and social relevance. He was awarded in the Sphere of Literature, Culture, History and Education.
The Chaconia Medal, Bronze recipient Professor Emeritus Edgar Duncan. Professor Edgar Duncan joined the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine in 1963, as the first and only lecturer in Botany. He oversaw the development of the syllabus, established the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory and created the region’s first semi-commercial Plant Biotechnology Facility, which supplied local and regional farmers with plantlets of crops and ornamentals. He was awarded in the Sphere of Education and Research.
Councillor Mr Martin Terry Rondon – the recipient of the Humming Bird Medal Gold. Mr Rondon is the longest serving Local Government Representative in Trinidad and Tobago. The former chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation has served as Councillor for the Electoral District of Toco/Fishing Pond, now Valencia East/Toco for the past twenty-seven (27) years.
The Humming Bird Medal Gold. recipient Mr. Machel Montano. Soca artiste, actor, filmmaker and cultural ambassador Machel Montano has been a household name in Trinidad and Tobago since the release of his debut album, “Too Young to Soca” in 1985. For the next 30-plus years, Mr Montano went on to revolutionise and promote soca music. He was awarded for the Sphere of Culture.
Jereem Richards, the recipient of The Humming Bird Medal, Gold. Jereem Richards is a track and field sprinter, specialising in the 200 metre and 400 metre events. He has medalled for Trinidad and Tobago in the 4×400, 200 and 400m events and holds the national indoor record in the 400m. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Jereem won gold in the 200m Event and anchored Trinidad and Tobago to victory in the 4x400m relay.
The Humming Bird Medal, Silver recipient Mr Neil (Iwer) George. Mr George is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most prolific cultural and soca artistes, having copped the titles of Road March, Soca Monarch, and International Soca Monarch.
The Humming Bird Medal, Silver recipient Mr Joseph Vautor-La Placelière. Mr Joseph Vautor-La Placelière, popularly known by his sobriquet The Mighty Lingo, is a veteran calypsonian and four-time extempo champion. The talented wordsmith has long entertained local audiences with his eloquent lyrics and superb improvisation., popularly known by his sobriquet The Mighty Lingo, is a veteran calypsonian and four-time extempo champion.
15-year-old Master Gregg Mannette is the recipient of The Humming Bird Medal, Bronze.
The Secondary School Student exhibited exceptional bravery and selflessness when on 7th April 2022, he rescued a drowning man at No Man’s Land, Tobago. Realising the perilous situation, Master Mannette sprung in action, swimming about 20 metres in less than 10 seconds, and was able to pull the man to safety.
The Medal for the Development of Women, Gold recipient Dr. Gabrielle Hosein. Dr. Gabrielle Hosein is the Senior Lecturer, Institute for Gender and Development Studies University of the West Indies, St. Augustine and has for over 25 years been considered a leading authority on Caribbean feminism and activism.
The Humming Bird Medal, Gold recipient Mr Lenny Kumar. Mr Kumar has been a tassa drummer for forty-eight (48) years. He established the Trinidad and Tobago Sweet Tassa Academy and an international band in Florida. He has been the teacher of the only all-girls tassa band in Trinidad and Tobago, for the past thirteen (13) years and assisted in creating the first Tassa App for Android and iOS devices.
The Medal for the Development of Women, Gold recipient Mrs Gia Gaspard-Taylor. Mrs Gia Gaspard-Taylor has long worked towards the development and advancement of women. She is a founding member and president of the Network of Rural Women Producers of Trinidad and Tobago, a coalition which empowers rural women to improve their economic and social well-being.
The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago recipient Professor Sterling Frost. Professor Frost is a leading expert in the field of banking and finance with decades of experience managing and strategizing for a range of institutions locally and abroad. He was awarded in the Sphere of Banking, Education and Community Service.
The Humming Bird Medal, Gold recipient Professor Kit Fai Pun. Professor Kit Fai Pun has been instrumental in the development of many undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the UWI Faculty of Engineering and was in April 2022, recognised as the Most Downloaded Researcher in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
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