One hundred and twenty four persons are now British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) of the Virgin Islands having taken the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty.
The new citizens were divided into two groups and processed at respective ceremonies held at the Government House. Congratulatory remarks were made by His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin, CMG; Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro.
Governor Rankin said, “It gives me great pleasure to be part of an event where you are all committing yourselves loyally to new ties, which will stay with you for the rest of your lives. This is a highly enriching process, from which you as individuals and the BVI, as a Territory, will gain.”
The Governor added, “The intermingling of cultures, different ways of thinking, different knowledge, and different skills brings with it clear and tangible benefits to the community as a whole.”
Premier Wheatley addressed the new citizens by calling on them to be “champions of unity”. He further told the recipients, “What binds us together is our love for these Virgin Islands, our commitment to preserve our environment, defend our values, lend a helping hand where it is needed in our community and our commitment to build these Virgin Islands to be the best it can be. And certainly, I call on you to really epitomise that principle that the BVI is really worth all of us protecting and defending it.”
Meanwhile, Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro reminded the new citizens that they will be expected to favourably represent the Territory in behaviour, conversation and action.
She also informed them of their civic duties as citizens.
“You are subject to your rulers, those in authority over you, to be obedient citizens, serving your communities, the less fortunate among us. I implore you to become useful citizens by joining a civic or community organisation,” she said.
The 124 new BOTCs are:
Marie Popo Andrew
Alfred Anthony August
Jean Delice Avril
Israel Bahadoor
Sachkia Shimmay Barnes
Kathy-Ann Valancia Bell
Angel Rafael Brown Valdez
Dolores Maria Valdez De Brown
Natasha Chavonne Pollard-Butler
Kenster Bede Charles
Ella Sketha Christopher
Cyrus Llewella Claxton
Alphonzo Alexander Davis
Junior Douglas
Kathy Natelle Patrice Barnwell-Edwards
Chandainie Mohanlall-Fahie
Antonio Ferreira
Vernette Dominique Glasgow
Tiffany Timauli Kayla Grant
Arleen Camelia Harris
Herlen Marjorie Hazell
Karen Cecelia Whyte Howell
Nigel George Howell
Dave Andrew Jardine
Mark Anthony Jeffers
Zoe Sandra Joseph
Monique Alinda John-Latchman
Yvonne Anesta McKenzie-Manning
Kamlapattie Beer-Maywahlall
Ravindra Maywahlall
Kareen Georgia McLeod
Sharon Mitchel
Everton Edward Morgan
Reanell Antoinette Jones-Phipps
Edna Veronica Profitt
Parbattie Ragnauth
Saran Asha Samuel
Nestor Julio Ramirez Santana
Barbara Cecile Pinnock-Smith
Rosalyn Card Smith
La Selle Vennie Toney
Hixford George Tyndale
Ahelia Devi Turnbull
Gladys Mae Walters
Judith May Williams
Alastair Guy Abrehart
Claire Louise Abrehart
Alberto Ovalles Almonte
Michel Shamalia Ambrose
Catherine Anselm
Corine Audain
Hemraj Ballie
Nirmatie Ballie
Richard Nicholas Branson
Cargil George Brown
Ioni Millicent Green-Brown
Rafael Leonidas Brown
Benjamin Stokes Butler
Shaunette Saemaire Akeema Mills Byron
Kervin Hutton Carter
Ian William Clark
Josette Sophia Dixon- Cooper
Nigel Maurice Cooper
Gary Patrick Cottreau
Hilario Ubiera Crispin
Carmen Rosario Rosario De Davies
Alene Sharon Elizabeth Daway
Laura Agnes Dore
Adenike Marie Sicard Flax
Suzette Nichola Frett
Celma Verona Gordon
Joan Winifred Gordon
Camiane St.Albourne Grange
Mc Donald Guiste
Don Carlos Kem Hadaway
Verelyn Lavern Hamilton
Roselyn Bethune Hart
Ruth Karon Joslin Hazell
Joan Pamella Hooper
Michael Hypolite
Pauline Genevieve Hypolite
Leroy Joseph Isaac
Nadine Melissa Isaac
Violet Veronica Jackson
Mervin Eversley Jacobs
Rosanna Elitha Jacobs
Robert James
Sherry-Ann Carita Virginia James
Hermia Joseph
Thile Douchel Joseph
Richard Kissoon
Francess Veronica La Touche
Vernon Larocque
Renee Kimona Manning
Steadroy Anthony Matthew
Phoebe Dawn Sharon Murrell
Ann Marie Banner- Palmer
Arcadia Belen De Paul
Christianne R. S. Pecanha
Skeetroy Ezekiel Vernon Percival
Rem-Jermyn Patricia Prince
Jimron Jade Purcell
Ganga Raghunath
Sunita Raghunath
Cecelia Ramtool
Dennis Visham Ramtool
Judith Ann John Robinson
Jamacie Thrisanne Rodney
Venice Viola Samuel
Alithia Adams-Scott
Himwant Seenarine
Lowattie Seenarine
Dharmamati Shevdyal
Florenda Nuevas Ruffell Smith
Michael Smith
Rabindranath Sookraj
Avril Veronica Stoddard
Janet Phillipa Cupid-Stoutt
Patricia Angela Ann-Marie Thomas
Jevon Valester Tyson
Bernadine Avalina Valrose
Anji Veta Walters
Christiana Asson-Williams
Thelma Wiltshire