Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Left: Sir Howard Cooke views a bamboo sketch of King's House, which was presented to him by Gewn Clarke, wife of the bank's head, William 'Bill' Clarke. Right: Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (left) views a bamboo sketch of Vale Royal presented to him by president of Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica, William Clarke.
WHEN THREE of your country's most well known citizens are about to leave the public limelight, you should let them know they're appreciated.
Fittingly, one of the island's premier financial institutions, the Bank of Nova Scotia, should be the one to fête outgoing Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and former Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke.
The Grand Jamaica Suite of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel could barely hold the number of persons from the business, diplomatic and political sectors, as everyone came to see the departing trio.
This prompted persons to marvel that only in Jamaica would such a wide cross-section of the society be present.
As guests dined on more delectable Pegasus courses, Peter Ashbourne, Rosina Moder and Jose Oxamendi Vicet soothed with their selections.
The Trio Ambience's repertoire was impressive as they played classics from Gershwin to the reggae vibes of Bob Marley and Jamaican folk of the good old days.
President and CEO of BNS, William Clarke, proved quite the comedian as he poked fun especially at politicians both present and who couldn't attend.
He presented each guest of honour as a great Jamaican, each with comedic tales of their experiences.
ENDORSED SUCCESSOR
He joked about Lady Cooke's initial dislike for going to King's House, Sir Howard being a long standing customer of BNS, and expressed anticipation to see Prime Minister Patterson's jazz collection.
In his response, Sir Howard offered endorsements to his successor.
"They (Prof. Hall and wife Rheima) are going to do some excellent work for this country," he said. He was at his philosophical best when he envisioned a new beginning in Jamaica, "but the dimension of change must begin with all of us," he said.
When it was his turn, Prime Minister Patterson once again lauded the resilience and character of the Jamaican people. He, too, asked for unity to achieve betterment for Jamaica.
"Work hard in your homes, in your communities and your workplace to give the Jamaican people the gift of peace," he pleaded. Like Sir Howard, he offered support to his successor, Portia Simpson Miller, who was also in attendance.
Both men were presented with bamboo art depicting their former official residencies. The intricate detail of the pieces would fool the untrained eye into believing they were paintings. Done by Nigerian Omoruyi Otalor, the bamboo was selected from Linstead and specially treated before being pasted on to the canvas.
Lady Cooke was presented with flowers, a welcome addition to the collection of this lady with the green thumb.
And so, as three stalwarts of Jamaica go off to well-deserved retirement, they can go knowing they were appreciated.
