Black Immigrant Daily News

Financial group Scotia Group Jamaica is clarifying an announcement that GraceKennedy has entered into an agreement to acquire Scotia Insurance Caribbean.

This agreement is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Scotia Insurance Caribbean Limited is a creditor insurance underwriting entity that provides services to Scotiabank clients in Barbados, Cayman, Turks and Caicos, Belize and the British Virgin Islands.

To this end, the GraceKennedy transaction has no impact on Scotia’s operations in Jamaica, which includes the customers of Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance Company (Scotia Insurance) and its ultimate parent company, Scotia Group Jamaica Limited (SGJL).

“We continue to invest in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean through the expansion of new products and services in insurance, wealth management and banking,” said Scotia Group Jamaica in a statement on Wednesday.

The bank said it would also continue to roll out of next-generation ATMs, recent upgrades to its digital banking platforms, enhancements to its mobile app and the upcoming launch of its new online platform.

In announcing the pending transaction on Tuesday, GK Group CEO Don Wehby said the acquisition of SICL is another step in GK fulfilling its strategy to grow its insurance business in the Caribbean and expand the footprint of the GF Financial Group in the region.

Wehby also said GraceKennedy would continue to pursue mergers and acquisitions as the key strategic driver of growth for GraceKennedy Group.

GK, in 2021, acquired another Scotia subsidiary, Scotia Insurance Eastern Caribbean Limited (SIECL). The business was subsequently rebranded as GK Life Insurance Eastern Caribbean Limited (GK Life).

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Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is led through the ranks as he inspects the various armed detachments at the Indpendence Day Parade, at Parade Grounds, Dwight Yorke stadium, Bacolet, Wednesday. – David Reid

THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine believes Trinidad and Tobago is still too conservative and has yet to carve out a unique identity since achieving Independence on August 31, 1962.

In his message to commemorate the country’s 60th anniversary of Independence on Wednesday, Augustine said the change in status presented citizens with a chance to insert fresh energy and direction into the governance process.

He added it also allowed citizens to develop a style that was more authentic and reflective of the realities of the country and its people.

But Augustine observed, “In some ways we are yet to fully maximise this prime opportunity, tethering closer to former and familiar standards, rather than boldly carving a path of our own. We have found ourselves too often along the straits of safe and small, instead of being the trailblazers leading the way.”

Recalling the country’s strides in several areas, Augustine said TT is capable of doing great things.

“Those moments when Trinidad and Tobago was audacious, still resonate around the world to this day. It is the marvel of the steelpan, which serves as evidence of our ingenuity to see and extract value, even in the old and discarded. This remains the only new instrument to have been invented in the 20th century, an invention that came courtesy of the red, white, and black.

“Who can also forget when a country of approximately 1.3 million dared and believed that we could successfully qualify for a FIFA World Cup? A historic qualification which made us the smallest nation in the world to have ever achieved that feat up until Iceland advanced in 2018.”

He also recalled it was under the leadership of the late ANR Robinson that TT tabled the motion at the UN General Assembly for an International Criminal Court in 1989.

“This was an idea that Robinson passionately advocated for and led the charge as a leader of a developing country, even earning the stripe as the ‘godfather of the ICC’ in the process.”

Augustine added, “I reflect on these national achievements as a timely reminder that we are meant to be the vanguards. We are the ones who should be bravely breaking the mould, while welcoming and surmounting the challenges that arise along our development journey.”

Urging citizens to reflect on TT’s progress over the past 60 years, Augustine wondered if every citizen feels truly independent or if some, based on creed or geographical location, feel more restricted and dependent than others.

“The dream was not solely to attain the power to govern ourselves, but to do so in such a manner that it makes a marked difference in the lives of all citizens. It was to build a Trinidad and Tobago where equity triumphs elitism; a twin-island nation that protects the dignity of all residing within its borders.”

As such, he said the country’s diamond jubilee must trigger critical introspection.

“We cannot be afraid to ask the tough questions, or engage in the difficult conversations, for it is only then we can gain a better understanding of our diverse and lived experiences.”

Saying that some have been championing the idea that life begins at 60, Augustine said, “If so, we are at a crucial juncture where we can strive to start again. We can breathe new life into the dream that transformed us from a colony, to a country of promise.

“The journey from dream to diamond jubilee germinated from the belief that no one can manage and seek our own interests better than ourselves. So remember, as we serve our country, we are ultimately serving ourselves.”

He urged citizens to recommit to the vision of the first patriot, who believed that together much could be achieved as a country.

“Reignite the love and dedication that may have grown cold for your beloved country. Let us stoke the fire once again and vow to push the land of our birth to go farther than ever before.”

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Suzanne Mills –

WHILE a resolute boss, Newsday former editor in chief Suzanne Mills was fondly remembered for her great kindness to individuals by her former co-workers, speaking to Newsday on Tuesday after her funeral at the Church of the Nativity, Diego Martin.

Former reporter Prior Beharry who now heads AZP News told Newsday, “When I worked at Newsday in 2000-2002 she was always very vibrant and always willing to give advice to me as a young reporter.” He said Mills had been very good in her coverage of politics and Parliament. “She had a knack for politics and a keen eye. She was always on the pulse.” Beharry also recalled Mills’ creative writing in opinion columns, saying she regularly used to discuss these themes with colleagues.

Former paginator Elizabeth Bunsee said, “I’d say Suzanne was a great friend. I considered her my boss and co-worker. She’s partly responsible for me being alive today because she would have directed me, upon realising something was wrong, to one of her doctors to have emergency surgery immediately which took me away from work for six weeks.

“She was very instrumental in my life.” Bunsee had reciprocated.

“In return I was very instrumental to her because she would have called out to me for help in 2019. I just headed straight down to Diego Martin from Edinburgh 500 to spend three hours with her. It was my last time spending time with her.”

Former reporter Joan Rampersad fondly related going on assignment with Mills.

“Suzanne and myself had to go to cover an election in the Diego Martin constituency. At some place we ended up, there was a Doberman there. Suzanne was fearless of this Doberman, I was scared. That’s the type of person Suzie was – fearless. That is one of my greatest memories.”

Rampersad also recalled taking Mills to Harvard Club’s annual dinner to give the keynote address.

“She was so welcomed there and was so happy about it. Happy to go out because she hardly every went out.

“Everybody welcomed her with open arms, so much so that when the COTT awards came up about a month later she said, ‘Girl, you have to go with me you know.’ She picked me up and we went, because she had to deliver the Newsday prize.”

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Una mujer se querelló el miércoles, ante agentes del precinto de Hato Rey Oeste en la que alegó haber sido estafada en la compra de un vehículo Mercedes Benz usado, por el cual pagó en marzo de este año. 

 Según la Uniformada, alegó la perjudicada, vecina de la urbanización Los Ingenieros en Hato Rey, que para el 20 de marzo de 2022 le entregó al sospechoso un cheque del Banco Popular de Puerto Rico por la cantidad de 5,500 dólares para la compra del Mercedes Benz. 

Tras el pago, el individuo no le ha entregado el vehículo ni le ha devuelto el dinero a la querellante. La mujer ha intentado comunicarse con él en múltiples ocasiones y no ha sido posible contactarlo por lo que llegó a la conclusión que ha sido víctima de un fraude por parte del individuo. 

Este incidente lo investigó la agente Yadira Díaz, del precinto policiaco, quien procedió a referir el mismo a personal de la división de Propiedad y Fraude del CIC de San Juan para que continúen con la investigación correspondiente. 

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