CHRISTOPHER Zacca took his appeal for greater citizenship involvement in the country’s development to University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) graduands, urging the class of 2024 on Saturday to remain here and help build the island’s human capital.

Zacca, the Sagicor Group Jamaica president and CEO, made the appeal in his acceptance address after being conferred with an honorary degree by the university during its graduation at UTech’s main campus in Papine, St Andrew.

“As I have said, Jamaica needs a whole-of-society partnership. To move forward we need your energy, your ideas, and your commitment… you hold the power to shape our nation’s future. Whether you pursue a career in science, engineering, entrepreneurship, or the arts, I urge you to build Jamaica’s human capital. Stay and invest in this country,” Zacca told the graduands.

He maintained his message of the need for a growth strategy, which he delivered to the country’s business leaders last month when he was inducted into the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Hall of Fame.

In that address on October 30 Zacca had said that Jamaica needs to pivot to a deliberate, two-pronged national strategy focused on maintaining fiscal discipline and critical institutions — such as an independent central bank — while driving robust and sustainable economic growth.

He urged the PSOJ to form a coalition of civil society to work with the Government and Opposition, recommending that the coalition “must have a respected and influential voice at the decision-making table, ensuring that the hard choices we need to make are implemented for the benefit of all Jamaicans”.

On Saturday at UTech he said, “Strong, sustainable, and equitable economic growth remains an elusive target, and Jamaica needs a whole-of-society partnership to agree on and deliver on a new growth plan.”

He said that throughout his career, he has seen the power of partnerships bridging divides between the public and private sectors to create jobs, build infrastructure, and fuel economic growth.

“In fact, I have dedicated half of my life to this cause. These efforts remind me that progress is a team sport, and as I reflect on my recent induction into the PSOJ Hall of Fame I am reminded that there is still so much more to do,” said Zacca, who has served on State boards and in 2009 was appointed special advisor to Prime Minister Bruce Golding — an assignment which he said gave him invaluable insight into the inner workings of Government.

Acknowledging the eagerness among the graduands to achieve greatness and make their mark as they “prepare to take on the world”, the Sagicor boss who has been hailed by PSOJ for his “steadfast commitment to nation-building” shared what he said is a truth that he learnt over the years: “Success isn’t measured solely by titles, wealth, or accolades. True success lies in the positive impact you make, the kindness you show, and the values you uphold… fulfilment comes not from personal gain but from the progress you inspire in others and the legacy you leave in your community.”

To emphasise that point, Zacca related the impression he formed of UTech nursing student Ramone Young who recently received the R Danny Williams Award for Vision and Leadership at the 2024 Sagicor Scholarship Awards.

“What stood out for me in his acceptance speech was his deep love for Jamaica above all — an admirable level of selflessness. He said: ‘I want to help build Jamaica into the country we know it can be, ’ ” Zacca shared.

“I know that this may be a difficult choice for many but this is a necessary commitment if we are to achieve the transformation this nation needs,” he argued, while sharing that late Sagicor President R Danny Williams’ attitude to uncertainty was to advise that: “When you don’t know where to start, start with service.”

Noting that Jamaica has always faced challenges, Zacca told the graduands that “history reminds us that nothing worth achieving comes easy”.

He recalled the late tourism and business mogul Gordon “Butch” Stewart once telling him that “when there is trouble, that is the time for us to go back-to-back to achieve our objectives”.

That, Zacca said, was “a call to action for all of us, and it continues with you”.

He said his greatest hope is to pass the baton to capable hands, and…“I see those hands right here in front of me today”.

“The future is yours. Carry this legacy forward. Build partnerships. Unite communities, and together, let us create a Jamaica that our children and grandchildren will be proud to call home,” he charged the Class of 2024.