Five distinguished Jamaicans will be conferred with the nation’s fifth-highest honour — the Order of Jamaica (OJ) — at a ceremony to be held at King’s House, St Andrew, today.

They are: Ambassador Anthony Johnson for distinguished national service in the public and private sectors, and particularly his contribution to the foreign service; former Member of Parliament and Jamaica Labour Party stalwart Dr Kenneth Baugh for distinguished service to the Jamaican Parliament as well as his work in the field of medicine; Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer for outstanding advocacy for senior citizens; Professor Renn Holness for outstanding work in neurosurgery; and Dr David Wayne Boxer, for distinguished contribution to the National Gallery of Jamaica and the arts.

The OJ is considered the equivalent of a British knighthood, and members of the order are styled “The Honourable”.

Chief Executive Officer of Sandals Resorts International and the Jamaica Observer Adam Stewart is among those to be conferred with the Order of Distinction (Commander class) for outstanding service to tourism and the hotel sector. Another member of theJamaica Observer team, veteran photojournalist Michael Gordon is to have his 45 years of outstanding work in the field of photojournalism honoured, when he receives the Order of Distinction (Officer Class).

Late journalists and close friends, Gary Spaulding and Glenroy Sinclair, who both worked at the Gleaner newspaper, are being honoured posthumously with the Order of Distinction.

The Order of Distinction is Jamaica’s sixth-highest national honour and equivalent to the Order of the British Empire.

Another 191 Jamaicans will also be conferred with national honours at the ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 9:00 am. Thirty-three of those will also have their contribution to national and public life awarded with the Order of Distinction (commander class); while 46 will be conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer.

Additionally, 16 individuals are to receive the badge of honour for meritorious service, and 37 will be conferred with the badge of honour for long and faithful service. Two civilians will accept the badge of honour for gallantry, which is conferred on individuals who are recognised for heroism or gallantry, or who have put their own lives on the line in extreme or dangerous situations.

Meanwhile, 11 Jamaica Defence Force members, 12 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 16 correctional officers, and 13 firefighters will receive medals of honour for meritorious service.

One correctional officer and a JDF soldier are to be conferred with the medal of honour for gallantry.

The national honours programme was established by an Act of Parliament in July 1969, beginning with four societies of honour — Order of the National Hero, the Order of Merit, the Order of Jamaica, and the Order of Distinction. There is also the Order of the Nation, and the Order of Excellence which was introduced in 2003. The latter is conferred upon foreign heads of state or government.