BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The second president of Barbados, Jeffrey Bostic, was sworn in early Sunday during the 59th anniversary of Independence and the fourth as a republic.

A former Minister of Health and a highly decorated military officer in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), Bostic played a pivotal role in guiding Barbados through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with the trademark rallying cry: “No Retreat, No Surrender” that earned him widespread acclaim for his leadership during one of the country’s most challenging periods.

He succeeded Dame Sandra Mason who created history as the last Governor General from 2018-2021 under the monarchical system and the first President in the parliamentary republic.

The Government of Barbados also requested the support of the Regional Security System (RSS) to supplement local law enforcement agencies and invited several heads of state/government and other dignitaries from across the region and internationally. The RSS was engaged, due to the significance of the celebrations.

Under the RSS treaty, provision is made for RSS member states to request support from other member states under specified terms and conditions. In this instance, the deployment in Barbados will comprise police officers and military personnel from Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana and St Kitts and Nevis.

Meanwhile, Central Bank Governor Dr Kevin Greenidge, cricket legend Joel “Big Bird” Garner, and economist and philanthropist Dr Kurt Lambert will from today carry the title of Barbados’ highest honour – The Most Honourable. They head the list of honourees as the country marks its 59th year of Independence, and fourth as a parliamentary republic.

The three received the Order of Freedom of Barbados, “for distinguished and extraordinary service to Barbados, the Caribbean diaspora or to humanity at large”.

Greenidge was awarded “for his exceptional, people-centred leadership in economic policy and central banking, and his outstanding transformative achievements in guiding reforms under the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation programmes”.

Garner has been honoured for his “outstanding leadership as a distinguished sports administrator, sterling service to national cricket development and extraordinary contribution to West Indies and Barbados cricket as one of the greatest fast bowlers in history”.

From his fearsome deliveries in the 1970s and 1980s to his leadership as Barbados Cricket Association president, selector, director, and West Indies team manager.

Professor Benedict Okechukwu Oramah, former president and chairman of the African Export-Import Bank, will receive the honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados award in recognition of “his dedication, pivotal role and strategic leadership in expanding trade and investment relations between the members of the African Export-Import Bank and Barbados”.