Published 30 September 2022
Basseterre
Buckie Got It, St.Kitts and Nevis News Source
My dear friends I have the privilege to announce that I was moments ago awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Bolton in a ceremony which also marked the birthday of Admiral Horatio Nelson.
I wish to thank the Board, Faculty and Staff of the University of Bolton for this signal honour.
Of significance and tremendous pride for me this evening was the beautiful rendition of the St Kitts Nevis National Anthem and the fruitful discussions that I held with the Vice Chancellor and team at Bolton to begin cooperation between that University and students from St Kitts and Nevis. I was especially impressed with their vocational training and will be pursuing opportunities for our young people at that University.
I was not scheduled to speak but could not allow the occasion to pass without reminding those in attendance that Lord Nelson was married to a Nevisian, Fannie Nisbett, and of course to invite them all to visit Nevis the Queen of the Caribbean.
Tonight I reflected on my journey as a small poor boy from Scarborough, Nevis to be standing tall in Manchester, England receiving this honour. I am reminded that we are never limited by the circumstances of our birth but only by the extent of our ambitions. May every young boy and girl in Nevis and the wider Federation be encouraged to dream big dreams and to be the best that he or she can be.
Praise be to Jehovah God in whom all things are possible. I thank Him who strengthens me and my wife Sharon Brantley and children and wider circle of family and friends who have always been my rock and my sustenance.
Today I feel exceedingly proud not just for me but for all of us from the 36 square miles called Nevis that God has blessed so abundantly.
