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New Year Message from Her Excellency

Jan 1, 2024

New Year Message from Her Excellency

The arrival of a new year brings with it an opportunity to reflect and to reposition. We reflect on the triumphs and the pains of the past year. And, with the wisdom we have gained through the experience of our triumphs and our pains, we reposition ourselves to face the new year and to make of it the best that we can.

As we reflect on the year that was 2023, we see many triumphs – including the triumph of what would appear to be our full return to normal social and business life, after the dark period of the COVID-19 pandemic. We see triumphs in sports, in music and in academia. We see examples of triumph in the parents who have sacrificed everything for their children’s education, and in the smiles of the children who have excelled at their studies and made their parents justly proud. These are just examples of the many triumphs that our country has been privileged to experience in the past year.

But, as we look back on 2023, we also see pain. We see the pain of families who have lost loved ones to disease, to road accidents, and to crime. We see the pain of the untimely loss in 2023 of many of our country’s beloved artistes and writers. We see the pain of human trafficking and of the abuse of vulnerable citizens – many of them children.

Many of us, looking back at the mix of triumphs and of pains that our country has experienced in 2023, might be tempted to agree with Charles Dickens’ assessment of the period of the French Revolution in “A Tale of Two Cities”, and to say of 2023 that “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair”.

I believe that one of the challenges for us as we begin a new year, is to acknowledge the complex and multifaceted nature of the human journey, and to come to terms with the fact that, no matter who or what we are, we all experience both happiness and sorrow, success and failure. I believe that one of the challenges for us, is to embrace this essential duality of the human experience, and not to give up hope in, or because of, moments of pain or disaster. As difficult and as agonising as those moments can be, the challenge is for us to remember that even in the darkest of times, there is potential for positive change and growth. As the Bible says in Psalm 30 Verse 5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”.

And so, as we reflect on the year that was 2023, and even as we accept that in life, we will always have and face challenges, let us also remember that we will also have and enjoy successes. Let us reposition our focus, away from only the pains that we all endure, and allow our focus to also embrace the examples of human excellence and potential around us — our innovative and enterprising young people, our talented athletes – and on our potential for greatness as a united, national community. Let us reflect on where we went wrong in 2023, and reposition ourselves at the start of the new year, to move forward in right directions. Let us all go triumphantly into the new year, with boundless faith in our destiny and in our ability to climb every mountain, to conquer every pain, and to fulfil our potential as a country.

My husband and I extend our very best wishes to all for 2024. And may God Bless Our Nation.

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The Office of the President was delighted to welcome students of the Barrackpore West Secondary School and members of Bethel World Outreach Ministries to The President’s House this week.The visitors enjoyed guided tours of the historic grounds—home to a rich variety of flora and fauna—and explored some of the public rooms of the Great House. 📸 See more highlights from their visit:👉 Barrackpore West Secondary School: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyp4X👉 Bethel World Outreach Ministries: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyfa5 ... See MoreSee Less

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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

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Media Release His Excellency Wade Mark Acting President appoints Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh as the new Chief Justice The Office of the President wishes to advise that in accordance with Section 102 of the Constitution, His Excellency Wade Mark, Acting President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago appointed Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, today, October 22, 2025 at a ceremony at the President’s House. This follows the announced retirement of The Honourable the Chief Justice Mr. Justice Ivor Archie ORTT from the position of Chief Justice effective, October 22, 2025. Present to witness the swearing in ceremony was Mrs. Aberleen Boodoosingh, and Ms. Amiya Boodoosingh , wife and daughter of the new Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Ivor Archie, ORTT, former Chief Justice, Senator the Honourable John Jeremie SC, Attorney General, the Hon. Roger Alexander, MP Minister of Homeland Security, Chief of Defence Staff, Captain Don Polo and Ag. Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin.The Honourable, the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Roonie Boodoosingh, formerly Justice of Appeal, was admitted to practise as an attorney-at-law in Trinidad and Tobago on 30 October, 1992, and appointed a Judge in Supreme Court of Judicature of Trinidad and Tobago in September 2007. Justice Boodoosingh served as a High Court Judge in both the Criminal and Civil jurisdictions. In 2020, Justice Boodoosingh was elevated to Judge of the Court of Appeal of Trinidad and Tobago.Prior to be being appointed as a Judge, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh was employed as a Lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2001 and in 2007 was appointed as the Course Director of the Trial Advocacy Programme. He also serves as Coach and Adviser to school’s Mooting Teams including the CCJ Moot Team.Justice Boodoosingh is the holder of a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Legal Education Certificate, as well as a Master of Laws in International Dispute Resolution.Justice Boodoosingh has notably published The Complete Advocate, a textbook on Advocacy in the Commonwealth Caribbean, and in 2020, Advocacy in Point Form and Advocacy in Verse, as well as a Practical Guide to Evidence in Civil Cases.The Honourable, the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Roonie Boodoosingh, in a brief statemen, shared his humility in accepting the new position and thanked the former Chief Justice for his service. Her thanked his family and committed to continuing the work that is required to move the judiciary forward. His Excellency, Wade Mark, Acting President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, raised a toast and congratulated the Chief Justice on his appointment, “Your elevation to this distinguished office is a reflection of your integrity, your unwavering dedication to justice, and your steadfast service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago. I wish you continued wisdom, courage, and strength as you undertake this vital responsibility.” His Excellency also thanked the former Chief Justice for his service, “seventeen years of leadership at the helm of the Judiciary is no ordinary achievement. You have served with distinction, leaving an indelible mark on the administration of justice and on the nation as a whole. On behalf of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, I express sincere gratitude for your commitment and your enduring contribution to the rule of law. “ ... See MoreSee Less

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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

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#WatchliveHis Excellency Wade Mark, Acting President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago appoints the new Chief Justice of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ... See MoreSee Less

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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T updated their cover photo.

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The President’s House was the destination of choice for Standard Four students of the La Horquetta South Government Primary School last week! 🇹🇹✨Groups of students had the wonderful opportunity to:🏛️ Visit the official residence of the Head of State🎖️ Reenact official ceremonies📘 Learn about the role and functions of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and TobagoIt was a memorable and educational experience for all!📸 See highlights from their tours:🔗 La Horquetta South Government Primary SchoolOctober 14, 2025👉 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCycx👉 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCycyGOctober 16, 2025👉 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCy79M👉 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCy7e1 ... See MoreSee Less

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