President to address virtual Republic Jubilee Awards ceremony

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, is slated to deliver the feature address when the Guyana 50th Republic Anniversary Celebration Committee in Toronto hosts a “Virtual Guyanese Republic Jubilee Awards Ceremony and Cultural Presentation” on Sunday night.

Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, as well as Canadian Provincial Member of Parliament, Sara Singh and Canadian Federal MP, Sonia Sindhu, will also be delivering brief remarks for the event.

The event, which is being held under the auspices of the Guyana Consulate in Toronto, will be broadcasted live on the Consulate’s Facebook page and starts at 19.00 hrs (Canada) and 20.00 hrs (Guyana).

Planning for the event included members of the Steering committee, Interfaith Sub Committee and Awards Sub Committee. The Awards Sub Committee completed its assessment and review of the nominations and presented their selection of award recipients.

Awards will be presented in the following categories: Arts and Entertainment Distinction, Business Excellence and Leadership, Young Professional Community Catalyst, Leadership in Volunteerism and Community Service and Outstanding Achievement Award – Non-Profit Organisation.

In September 2019, Consul General, Anyin Choo, initiated a call to the diaspora to convene a group of Guyanese to plan celebrations for Guyana’s 50th Republic Golden Jubilee Anniversary.

During the initial meetings, a committee was nominated and voted in to lead the planning process. Specific attention was placed to ensure that there was diversity on the committee in terms of age, gender and cultural background. This resulted in the selection of a dynamic, inclusive and diverse group of committed Guyanese, including members of diaspora organisations who have, over the years, contributed to various institutions and projects in Guyana as well as members of the new Guyanese Canadian Young Professionals Association.

The committee had planned a series of events, in collaboration with the Consular Office, including an Interfaith Service which was held on February 23 with the
cultural showcase, cocktail party and awards ceremony slated as the signature events.
A GuyTalk Panel (with a focus on Women and Youth Empowerment, Sustainable Development and the Oil in Guyana, which was also scheduled for March 28, suffered the same fate as the cultural show and was postponed.

Among the several sponsors on board are Richard Whyte of Go Logistics/Citrus Personnel; Dr. Narendra Singh of Give Health to Kids; Komal Samaroo of Demerara Distillers Limited; and Tony Harris of E-Magic/SmartWorks. Sunday night’s event will be hosted by Joe Jaglall and Gillian Williams.