The Tribune

By Denise Maycock

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest told some 60 graduates of the University of The Bahamas North in Grand Bahama not to be deterred or derailed by challenges and failures, but to take control of their destiny and embrace the opportunities in front of them. 

Mr Turnquest’s remarks came during UB’s recent spring commencement ceremony in Freeport at the Grand Lucayan resort.

“You have to believe in yourself, remember that you are worth every dream you have ever conceived, and know that you can chart your own course into the future.

“We may have many challenges as a country, but don’t let anyone tell you there is not opportunity in The Bahamas. Don’t let anyone tell you there isn’t opportunity in Grand Bahama,” he said. 

Mr Turnquest believes that this is a period of growth and opportunity in the country.

He encouraged the graduates to face the challenges of the past head-on and press towards success, and not to focus so much on everything that is wrong with The Bahamas and in their personal lives.

“There is opportunity in front of you, but you have to believe in yourself enough, you have to be willing to preserve long enough, you have to be courageous enough, willing to try something new and risk failing one or two times, or even more.

“You have to be willing to be the first, to walk down a road no one in your family has walked; maybe no one in The Bahamas has walked before and better yet, maybe no one in the world has walked. Graduates, you have to be willing to open your eyes and see. Your presence here today is a sign that you know this already – that you have put this into practice, and so I applaud you again, I salute you, as the Class of 2019.” 

Mr Turnquest said the government has provided opportunity for Bahamians to be entrepreneurs through the Small Business Development Centre, which has provided some $1m in business grants to Bahamians — 46 percent in New Providence and 21 percent in Grand Bahama. 

He noted that a UB student was a recipient of $200,000 in mixed investment capital through SBDC after 15 revisions of his business plan. 

He said of upcoming developments for Grand Bahama: “We are negotiating with a new medical school for Grand Bahama among other initiatives like the tech hub. These are prospects where your individual stories will flourish even more as you take advantage of the opportunities these developments will bring.” 

The graduates were also encouraged to expand their borders by looking beyond Grand Bahama for opportunity in the digital economy.

“As you leave this institution, I want you to think about expanding your horizons and remember that you can do that while living right in the comfort of your home, you are prepared. There is no place in the world like Grand Bahama, and what better to be able to enjoy the benefits of global trade, with the comforts and pleasures of living on the best island in The Bahamas,” Mr Turnquest said.

Dr Rodney Smith, UB president, also brought remarks.