Prime Minister congratulates National Honours recipients; encourages young people in nation building

NASSAU, The Bahamas - More than 400 people were honoured for their contribution to the continued development of The Bahamas, in three separate ceremonies over two days, the first two held on National Heroes Day.

On Monday, October 12, 2026, in the Baha Mar Convention Centre, which was bedecked in national colours, Her Excellency, the Governor General, the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt, as Chancellor of the Societies of Honour and in accordance with the National Honours Act, presented the honourees with their respective designations in morning and afternoon ceremonies.

On Tuesday morning, October 13, the third Investiture Ceremony was held, closing out the list of honours for some 425 men and women from public service and private enterprise, the arts, the church, civic, and community life.

The Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister, in his keynote addresses delivered at all ceremonies, while congratulating the recipients -- encouraged young people to take on a project and complete it, even when it gets difficult.

"No one we honour today began with everything figured out. Each of them began somewhere. With a decision. With an opportunity taken. With the courage to try something worth doing, and the determination to keep going when the road got hard," he said.

"You do not need the perfect idea or the perfect moment. Begin where you are, with what you have. Look at your community, your school, your church, and your workplace. Ask what needs doing. Then ask what you can do about it."

The prime minister noted that nation-building is not the work of government alone. It is not reserved for those with titles or positions.

"It is the work of every Bahamian who sees a chance to contribute and accepts the responsibility that comes with it. My father understood that. So do the men and women we honour today," he said.

The prime minister shared that his father was his "hero"; although his name is not in any history book.

"He was an ordinary man. He was a firefighter. He never held high office, and he never asked for recognition. He simply did all that he could to provide for his family, and to raise his children to be the best they could be, for their family and for their country."

As a young boy growing up on Cat Island, the prime minister also said that his grandparents taught him life-long lessons. "Whatever you do in life, leave something good behind. My father lived that lesson every day. I believe every person in this room has a hero like that."

He said his father brought him to New Providence and he experienced several firsts, like eating an ice-cream cone for the first time.

"I was a Cat Island boy. My father would send things to me on the mailboat. I did not know what ice cream was until my father gave it to me," the prime minister said. "From Cat Island to Nassau, and to this podium. What a journey it has been."

He observed that "ordinary Bahamians" who may never have held a prestigious office, but who moved this country forward, were being honoured. He thanked all honourees for their patriotism, sacrifice, hard work and dedication to nation-building.

The Governor General conferred upon them the Order of The Bahamas, the Order of Excellence, the Order of Distinction, the Order of Merit, the Distinguished Service Medal, Medal for Acts of Bravery, and the Governor General's Award.

Noted among the honourees was United States Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who received the Order of Excellence - an honour given to Heads of foreign governments or such individuals who are not citizens of The Bahamas but who have given exemplary service to The Bahamas. She was among six who received such an honour.

The Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of The Advisory Committee on National Honours, also congratulated the recipients, and thanked the committee for their work in organizing and management of National Honours.

The ceremonies were embellished with pomp, pageantry, and fanfare, for the entrance of the Governor General; ceremonial and dance music performances by the Royal Bahamas Police and Defence Force bands; soloists; receptions; and photo opportunities.

The Governor General is pictured presenting the honours.

(BIS Photos/Letisha Henderson)