Good morning.
It is the morning of day four of my five day work week in Tobago and already the staff of the Office of the President and I are debating whether we should return to Trinidad on schedule. Tobago, is very seductive. It has been an enlightening and extremely productive sojourn – this effort has proven to be quite worthwhile. I hope that it will be as gratifying for Tobago and Tobagonians as it has been for me.
While I ...
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“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”
It is hotly debated, whether these words are attributable to the Grecian philosopher Aristotle, but what is beyond dispute is that this maxim contains essential and immutable truths which I suspect that our youthful awardees have already discovered.
Excellence ...
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Fellow citizens,
“And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that never were.” Poet and novelist Rainer Maria Rilke was referring to things that would happen for the first time in the future, but as we ring in 2019, I extend best wishes to every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago for a happy, fulfilling and prosperous New Year, full of things that have been and can be again.
...
Fellow Citizens,
Many are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to
experience the “merry” in Christmas this year. Even the most devout Christian,
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On this International Migrants Day, we acknowledge the millions of men, women and children who leave their homes, communities and countries in search of safety, stability and a brighter future.
The history of Trinidad and Tobago is one of migration – both voluntary and involuntary. The arrival of the Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta in 1498 was closely followed by migrants from other parts of the world – colonizing forces from Europe, enslaved Africans from West Africa, indentured labourers from ...
Speech from Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at the President’s Awards for Service Excellence and Innovation in the Public Sector – 5th December 2018
This evening, we gather to recognise and celebrate innovation, progress and excellence in the Public Sector, and those who bring it about.
Our public institutions are the platforms upon which the people of Trinidad and Tobago are served and the bridge between citizen and government. They should be functional, ...
Good morning:
Everyone loves a parade. Crisp, spotless uniforms, spiffy, mirror-finish boots gleaming in the sun, synchronised movements to march rhythm. What’s there not to love?
One reason we enjoy a parade is that it gives us a sense of order, discipline and regularity; that everybody knows what to do and is doing it the right way, at the right time. However, my question for you today is, does ...
Continue Reading →Good afternoon:
If, before today, you have heard even one of my addresses you would have realised that I favour brevity in salutations. However, today, I employed the long-form because as Patron of the Point-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, I believe that everyone present should be recognised and applauded for being true partners in progress and giving your unstinting support to the Trust in general and this worthy cause in particular.
The Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust has garnered ...
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Message from Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the occasion of the International Day of People with Disability 3rd December, 2018
As we celebrate the International Day of People with Disability, let us pledge our commitment to building a society that enables all persons with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential. This year’s theme, Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality highlights the importance of safeguarding and promoting the rights ...
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Excerpts from an Address by Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, ORTT, to the TRINBAGO UNIFIED CALYPSONIANS ORGANISATION (TUCO) on the occasion of its 25th anniversary and Annual Calypso History Month Gala 2018 (28/11/2018)
Good evening
Even as we gather to celebrate this significant milestone in the history of the TRINBAGO UNIFIED CALYPSONIANS ORGANISATION, (TUCO) the calypso fraternity and nation continue to reel from the loss of three bastions of the calypso art form in the short space of just two months. Shadow, the ...
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