The National Youth Council (NYC) hosted a weekly Saturday morning radio programme. It was called “Youth Challenge”. The NYC’s Publication Committee, which was headed by its then public relations officer (PRO), St. Clair “Jimmy” Prince, our current minister of health, wellness and the environment, was tasked with producing that radio programme.
It was done in conjunction with the NYC’s administrative office which was managed by Geoffrey Samuel and Arthur Bobb.
Some of NYC’s very young executive members, (bright babies on the executive) such as Brennetta Dublin, of Bequia, who was a committee member assigned to the Publication Committee, regularly interviewed guests on the programme, hosted the programme and wrote articles of relevance to young people for presentation on the said programme.
The programme had a set introductory theme song which was well known to listeners. It was played to start the programme to catch the listening audience’s attention, which it did. The programme was recorded in the studio of our country’s then sole radio station, NBC RADIO 705 at no charge to the council.
Additionally, NYC’s monthly newsletter was also produced under Jimmy Prince’s guidance. It was another responsibility of the Publication Committee. The newsletter was circulated to all affiliated youth groups far and wide, throughout the length and breadth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
Another important point is that NYC operated programmes for the “Youths on the Block”. The goal was to reach the young people wherever they could be found. If the council could not get to them because they were not members of a structured and functioning youth group, the council field staff went to find them where they hung out, limed and conversed on the blocks.
Our country is richer because of the successes of NYC!
Our political parties, politics and leadership arena are richer because of the successes of NYC!
Our political parties have benefited directly from the moulding, grooming, leadership training, regional and international travel and exposure among other positives, to which the following persons and others have been exposed:
The ruling political party, ULP, to name a few:
1. Honourable Clayton Burgin (former MP)
2. Honourable Cecil “Cess” Mc kie (former MP)
3. Honourable St. Clair “Jimmy” Prince (current MP)
4. Honourable Curtis King (current MP).
The opposition political party, NDP to name a few:
1. Senator Israel Bruce
2. Executive member, Brennetta Dublin
3. Dr. Andrew Simmons of the youth group Junction, Enhams, McCarthy and Stubbs (JEMS) and the Commonwealth.
Other notable Vincentians who contributed to the successes of the NYC and who, in turn, benefited from its wholistic developmental youth programmes include: Dr. Roger Duncan, our country’s current Medical Officer of Health; Louisa Martin-James, of VINLEC; Cadet Major Dwight Lewis; Andre Liverpool (past NYC Treasurer); Carlos “Moses” Williams (past NYC General Secretary) a retired government youth officer and the then youthful businessman; and, Phillip Charles, of Middle Street. The aforementioned names were just randomly selected. Please take no offence if your name was not included.
I will never forget the motto of NYC — “YOUTH, THE PRESENT ANSWER TO THE FUTURE.”
I still have my NYC-sponsored La Soufriere Endurance Walk jersey, with that motto written on the front. It’s treasured memorabilia.
Finally, forgive the length but sometimes you simply have to lay out some facts in detail to educate those who do not know and to remind those who pretend that they have forgotten.
I sincerely hope Senator Shackell Bobb gets to read this; she needs a little history lesson.
Finally, please, please, bring back a non-partisan umbrella youth organisation to our beloved SVG. Our country desperately needs it. Remember, our youth are the men and women of tomorrow; they are our future leaders.
Kamau Dublin
The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of iWitness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].
A nonpartisan youth organization is absolutely needed here in SVG! Our youth are in need now more than ever before with the introduction of social media, technology, and new forms of crime. The answer is in front of us, only action is to be taken.
A well written article. Like the author of this piece; I wish for the senator to read this article. While this is a good lesson for her it brings to mind the question. Why wasn’t she corected? The ULP is filled with former NYC beneficiaries, as was identified, but none saw it fit and proper to correct the young senator. This goes to show that she was used as a hatchet to destroy the legacy of the ULP; while with the same breath heaping praises on the P.M Youth Commission which at this point has done anything worth mention.