By: St. Clair Sazam Hull
Nevispages.com
(CHARLESTOWN NEVIS)-On the afternoon of Thursday, April 20, 2017 the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) conducted a ceremony opposite the Arthur Evelyn Building in Charlestown.
The event was held to unveil a monument for The Right Excellent Dr. Sir Simeon Daniel.
Chairperson of the ceremony Mr. Devon Liburd gave the opening remarks. He said he was pleased to have been the chairperson at such a historical occasion. He also took the opportunity to welcome all who were in attendance.
Opposition Leader, Hon Joseph Parry who worked alongside Daniel also gave some remarks. Parry indicated that some people have left an undeniable on history and Dr. Daniel was one of those persons. He stated that Daniel mark was made in 1983 when he gave Nevis its own government having been one of the main architects of the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis.
He stated that besides giving Nevis its own government, Daniel also gave us our own Offshore Industry, Nevis’ Sixth Form College and the Bank of Nevis Ltd. He said that all these things were achieved because Daniel was determined to make them happen. Parry indicated, that he was proud to have worked with Daniel who taught him a number of things in the process.
Deputy Premier of Nevis, Hon Mark Brantley also gave some brief remarks. He told the gathering, that he was proud to be standing in that moment in the heart of Charlestown because it was a day that had been planned from a very longtime. Brantley indicated, that they had been working studiously to get a lasting monument in the memory of a man who has done so much.
He noted that in contemplating what he should have said, he thought about listing all of what Daniel had done for us. However, he stated that after Hon Parry listed so many of Daniel’s significant achievements, he will not continue in that vein. He said that Daniel has done tremendous service for the people of Nevis and exemplified the Motto ‘Country above Self’.
The Deputy Premier also spoke about his relationship with Daniel from a personal standpoint. He said that he knew Daniel since he was a boy because his late father and Daniel were close friends. He noted that he grew up in the household of Daniel and regarded Lady Shiela as his second mother and Daniel as his second father. Brantley indicated, that because of that closeness with the family, it gave him even greater pride to have been associated with what was transpiring.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis the Hon Timothy Harris also distributed some remarks. Harris said that the occasion was an auspicious one, and it was great that tribute can be paid to a son of the soil. He noted that in many ways, it was a teachable moment and Daniel himself would have loved the moment. Harris said this was so because persons from all political sides were able to come together to honor the memory and contribution of one of Nevis’ favourite sons. Harris said he was born to a Nevisian father who hailed from St. Thomas’ Parish, the same parish where Daniel came from.
Premier of Nevis, Hon Vance Amory also spoke at the ceremony. Amory noted that he once worked with Daniel as his Permanent Secretary for three years from 1983 to 1986. He pointed out that a number of things that we enjoy and take for granted today were as a result of Daniel’s courage and sacrifice. He indicated that Daniel was courageous enough to have stood up to what he knew was an oppressive regime in St. Kitts. The Premier said that the coalition that Daniel formed with the Peoples Action Movement (PAM) was a dangerous one at the time but he never wavered in what he believed in.
A poem was recited by reigning Junior Calypso Monarch the Mighty Sookie’
There was also a performance by the masqueraders.
The monument was then unveiled by Shiela Daniel the Widow of Sir Smeon Daniel.