Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Tobago honours Robinson with island's highest award

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has honoured former president Arthur N.R. Robinson with its highest award - the first ever Tobago Medal of Honour.

The presiding officer of the THA Ann Mitchell-Gift presented the award to Robinson Tuesday.

Robinson's political career began in his native Tobago, first as an MP for the People's National Movement (PNM). When he broke with the party he formed his own political movement and in 1976 he and his colleague, Dr Winston Murray, defeated the two PNM candidates from the island.

Robinson went on to lead the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) in a historic landslide victory over the PNM in 1986. During that term the Jamat al Muslimeen tried to overthrow the government, holding Robinson and some cabinet ministers and other MPs hostage at the Red House.

In 1995 he returned to government as the minority partner in the Panday-led UNC-NAR coalition. During that administration Robinson was elected President.

In presenting the awards, Mitchell-Gift said the Tobago Medal of Honour is reserved for individuals whose contribution to the development of Tobago has been exceptional.

The award was established earlier this year in a motion that received unanimous support from the THA.

In accepting the award Robinson said he felt honoured to have been recognised by his fellow Tobagonians for his hard in the development of Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago.

Earlier this the government of Trinidad & Tobago honoured Robinson by renaming the Crown Point airport the ANR Robinson International Airport.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai