EIGHT outstanding fathers were recently honoured in a special ceremony at the Umana Yana, Sea Wall Road, Kingston, Georgetown.
The event “Fathers of Distinction”, was hosted in “Negla Brandis style” by the glamorous Special Event Planner, and featured a host of distinguished guests including at the time Acting President Samuel Hinds and wife Yvonne Hinds. A special feature of the event was wine tasting for guests, compliments of Phoenix Enterprises Guyana, who used the event to promote their coconut water wine.
Attorney- of-Law Nigel Hughes emceed the event, which featured tributes and a special dance for the fathers by some members of the Crystallite troupe titled ‘Michael Jackson’.
Keynote speaker at the event, Reverend Adolph Davis, Minister of the Methodist Churches Friendship Circuit, said in a world where the only image of men promoted is one of failure, neglect, betrayal, abuse and abandonment, it is critical that “we celebrate our men who have been and continue to go unnoticed as champions of and in their families.”
He noted that men were being celebrated not just for the sake of recognition, but it was important that another picture of manhood be presented, so it can be known that man is not synonymous with failure. Davis said this would serve as an inspiration and motivation for other men who have long felt that they are doomed to failure.
The highlight of the programme was the tribute to the fathers who came from the fields of Engineering, Medicine, Law, Education, Photography and Entrepreneurship. This was done by their children and took the form of power point presentations and speeches.
The fathers were Mr. Rockcliffe Christie, Mr. Ivor English, Col. Clarence Gordon, Mr. Hazim Hakh, Mr. Nicholas Hall, Pastor Wade Ridley, Dr. Colin Roach and Mr. Surujpaul Singh.
The fathers were presented with trophies, gifts and dinner vouchers for two. The event is an annual one and highlights the work and achievements of fathers.