Former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham, presented his new book to Grand Bahama school principals at the Sir Charles Hayward Library on Thursday.
Thanks to donations by Sawyer’s Fresh Market and the Grand Bahama Port Authority, which each donating 20 books, all school libraries will have a copy of Mr. Ingraham’s book, “I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.”
Mr. Ingraham was greeted at the entrance of the Library by the Walter Parker Primary School Honour Guard and was then escorted in by Mrs. Geneva Rutherford where the principals waited to receive copies.
Representatives from Sawyer’s, HR Director Shafayne Allen and Port Authority’s Nikara Wilchombe, said their companies were pleased to be a part of this initiative to have the books in the schools so that students have access to history. Book editor, Theresa Butler said the book was a long time in coming and hopes the principals find it useful.
When addressing the principals, Mr. Ingraham said his book editor whom he has known some 30 years urged him to write the book. While first objecting, he said, he remembers making a long speech in May 1985 which resulted in his being “kicked out of the PLP”. In this speech, he said, he did not know how history would judge him “but I was taking a particular course of action, and I was going to sleep very well
that night because I said what I meant, and I meant what I said.”
The book was worked on by Ms. Butler over the next nine years, with the only break or interruption being during the pandemic. The publication of the book was funded “by a very generous Bahamian” and copies are being sold at cost. It is hoped the sales will fund volumes two and three. Mr. Ingraham hopes to do his autobiography next year.
“You will find in the book much information that can assist students and others in appreciating and learning what happened in the country during the 15 years that I had the opportunity to be Prime Minister.”
The former Prime Minister also held a book signing at Sawyer’s Fresh Market and an official launch at the Grand Lucayan Great Lawn. On Friday morning, he will make a courtesy call on the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey and speak to students at the Jack Hayward Senior High School.
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