Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3710/-1/140/
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TWO ANGUILLIANS HONOURED IN NEW YORK Six Others From St. Kitts - Nevis
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Two nationals of Anguilla, Dr. Oluwakemi M. Linda Banks and Nathaniel (Nat) Hodge, MBE, were among eight persons honoured at the Long Island Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at Uniondale, New York. The awardees were recognised for having “rendered immeasurable contribution, service and credit to the cause of country and humanity by their personal efforts, commitment, dedication and achievements.”
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Mr. Nat Hodge, MBE
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They were awarded on Sunday, July 2, at the Anguilla, Nevis and St. Kitts Association Reunion (ANSAR) comprising a number of national groups with members residing in many parts of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. ANSAR 2006, as the function was called, was hosted by the Kittitian-American Benevolent Association (KABA) and had as its theme: “Revising the Past; Capturing the Moment; Advancing into the future.” ANSAR serves as a forum to renew and strengthen old friendships, foster the development of contacts and networking and provides opportunities to participate in workshops, seminars and panel discussions. This is according to KABA’s New York-based executive, Marcella Byron, sister of former Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Sir Dennis Byron.
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Dr. O. M. Linda Banks
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Dr. Ismay Taylor presenting award to Nat Hodge
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Dr. Banks, one of the two Anguillian awardees, is a Clinical Psychologist, a Human Development Consultant, an Educator, a Communications Specialist, a Motivational Speaker and an Afrocentric Entrepreneur. In addition, she is the Chairperson for Caribbean Link for Guiding, Commissioner, Girl Guiding, Anguilla; Education Representative on the National Bank of Anguilla Scholarship Committee; President of the Caribbean Conference of Churches and the Caribbean Ecumenical Representative.
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Carlson Connor presenting award to Dr. Banks
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Noreen Hodge addressing ceremony
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The plaque award was presented to her by Carlson Connor, an Anguillian dental worker in New York.
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Anguillians residing at home and in the United States
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Mr. Hodge, the other Anguillian awardee, has many years of service in the field of journalism in St. Kitts and Anguilla. He was Editor of the Democrat Newspaper in St. Kitts and on his return home served as News Editor and later Director of Information and Broadcasting in the Anguilla Public Service. During his appointment he served as Press Accreditation Officer for the Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth The Second and the Duke of Edinburgh. Later he was appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE). On his retirement from the Public Service, he began publishing The Anguillian, a weekly newspaper now serving the island.
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Anguillians residing at home and in the United States
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The Opening Ceremony: Marcella Byron (2nd from right), Dr. Williams, Dr. Somersall, Mello Sello of Anguilla and others
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His award was presented by Dr. Ismay Taylor of St. Kitts.
The other awardees were St. Kitts-Nevis nationals Gloria L. Anslyn, Edmund Anthony Sadio, Eliza Osbourne Allan, Dr. Spencer Armory, Elston Nero, Clarice Cotton and Bruce Skerritt.
Some 600 nationals from Anguilla, Nevis and St. Kitts were in attendance at the award ceremony and other functions held during the period June 30 to July 2.
In a message to the organising committee in New York, Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, stated on behalf of the Government and people as follows:
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Cross section of Nationals of Anguilla, Nevis and St. Kitts
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“Despite the separation of Anguilla from St. Kitts and Nevis…reunions such as this remind us that the bond of friendship, love and oneness must not be broken. We are particularly pleased to note that your organisation has seen it fit to honour two well-deserving Anguillians this year: Dr. Olawakemi Linda Banks and Mr. Nathaniel Hodge. Both nominees have served Anguilla well and have made outstanding contributions to the social and economic development of our island in their respective professional capacities. The Government and people of Anguilla join in congratulating them as well as all the other honourees. Our warm fraternal greetings are extended to all the members of your association.”
The award ceremony was preceded on Saturday, July 1, by the plenary and delegate session. Dr. Isben Williams, St. Kitts’ United Nations Representative, speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, commended ANSAR and the Kittitian-American Benevolent Association for organising the function. He encouraged the nationals to keep the passion and love for their homeland close to their hearts and to work towards further progress for the islands.
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Anguillians Seymour Hodge, Mello Sello and Dr. Banks at awards ceremony
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The feature address was delivered by Kittitian physician and motivational speaker, Dr. Allan Somersall, who resides in Toronto, Canada. He advised the nationals to “Live one day at a time and focus on the positive as you seize the present moment to squeeze out all the possibilities and go for the gold.”
The ceremony was chaired by Mello Sello (Victor Nickeo) of HeartBeat Radio in Anguilla.
Kittitian Lester Edmeade with saw solo
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