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, the Minister said Cooper 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, adding 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.
