CARICOM committee to consider honouring Joseph Niles

Monday, November 17, 2003

CASTRIES, St. Lucia: The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) committee responsible for selecting Caribbean nationals to be honoured for outstanding contribution to the development of CARICOM is now looking at a request to honour Caribbean gospel superstar Joseph Niles.

This was made known by the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Edwin Carrington, during the meeting of CARICOM heads in St. Lucia last week. Founder of GIS Caribbean, a 24-hour online news and information service, Norman "Gus" Thomas of Antigua and Barbuda had written to Mr. Carrington recommending that the well known Caribbean gospel singer from the 60's to 90's be recognized by CARICOM for his outstanding contribution to gospel music in the region. Carrington and Thomas discussed the matter at the Castries meeting last week.

Mr. Carrington acknowledged receipt of Thomas' letter, adding that, "I read it three times," but admitted that he himself have never heard of Joseph Niles. 

Carrington pointed out that there are several Caribbean nationals whose contributions impact heavily on the countries where they reside, but very little is known of them in the region. He however said that, the CARICOM committee responsible for the honouring of outstanding nationals is now looking at the Joseph Niles issue. 

Thomas in his letter to Carrington, which was copied to CARICOM Chairman Prime Minister Percival J Patterson of Jamaica, and incoming Chairman Prime Minister Lester Bird of Antigua and Barbuda, described Niles as an outstanding gospel music ambassador whose music impacted greatly on the spiritual development of Caribbean people.

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version