Happy Birthday, Eddie
Dear Editor,
I note the 80th birthday of Mr Edward Seaga, and wish publicly to join the many hearts and minds giving thanks for his life and exceptional contribution to the development of modern Jamaica. The evidence of his work can be marshalled from one end of the island to the next; and it impacts on things material and spiritual.These monumental achievements do not bear his name on billboards, signs or any visible historical markings.
However, his signature is there to be seen by the discerning researcher and all those who care to remember. The brilliance of his intellect, his unquenchable thirst for knowledge and understanding; his urgent desire to try and translate theories into actualities; and the vigour with which all these were practised and pursued stamp Eddie as an outstanding human being.
I worked in his administration when he was prime minister during the 1980s; and I was privileged to experience the moods and methods that defined his work – deep study, profound analyses, considered conclusions and rapid responses on a wide variety of subjects essential to the progress of the island and its people. Others may have succeeded by the use of intuitive wisdom, charisma and courage; or by being assisted by aides and supporters with a bank of intellectual resources.
Mr Seaga, with enormous diligence and dedication, and almost by himself, was capable of writing the score, conducting the band and playing lead musician. It was a combination of roles on which many looked askance, but it often succeeded because of his willingness to focus on creative problem-solving; and to devote the great volume of mental and physical energy required to concretise his ideas. This diligence and impatience to move ahead made it difficult to keep up with him; and the result was that he sometimes forged forward with minimal delay for the counsel and advice of his colleagues. Happily, more often than not, he was proved to have gone in the right direction.
I worked in his administration when he was prime minister during the 1980s; and I was privileged to experience the moods and methods that defined his work – deep study, profound analyses, considered conclusions and rapid responses on a wide variety of subjects essential to the progress of the island and its people. Others may have succeeded by the use of intuitive wisdom, charisma and courage; or by being assisted by aides and supporters with a bank of intellectual resources.
Mr Seaga, with enormous diligence and dedication, and almost by himself, was capable of writing the score, conducting the band and playing lead musician. It was a combination of roles on which many looked askance, but it often succeeded because of his willingness to focus on creative problem-solving; and to devote the great volume of mental and physical energy required to concretise his ideas. This diligence and impatience to move ahead made it difficult to keep up with him; and the result was that he sometimes forged forward with minimal delay for the counsel and advice of his colleagues. Happily, more often than not, he was proved to have gone in the right direction.
Now that he is no longer involved in the partisan, political process, his fertile mind, his worthy mission and edifying example continue unabated, and sad to say, although properly recognised by academia, is not adequately utilised by the nation as a whole. I consider myself well blessed to have lived in the heyday of Bustamante , Norman Manley and others of that ilk. I thank them always; but today I reserve for Edward Seaga, a nationalist, not by self-proclamation but by practical, proven and profitable project work that promotes the aspirations, aims and ambitions of Jamaicans of this and future generations. Happy Birthday, Eddie!
Kenneth Jones
kensjones2002@yahoo.com
