Prime Minister Holness Announces New National Honour for the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverly, OM and the Hon. Bob Marley, OM
“Jamaica is at a stage in its development where it has to reflect and indeed attempt to modernize all its institutions including the various holidays that we celebrate including our system of national honours and awards.”
– Prime Minister Holness
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Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, has formally announced the government’s intention to create a new national honour, the Order of National Icon.
The first recipients to be conferred with this new national title will be the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverly, OM affectionately known as “Miss Lou,” and reggae legend the Honourable Robert Nesta Marley, OM beloved worldwide as Bob Marley.
Speaking on Heroes Day, October 21, 2024 and the Luncheon for National Honour and Awardees at the Jamaica Pegasus, Prime Minister Holness stressed that the decision was made after extensive review and consultation, emphasizing that it was not a politically motivated but a national decision. The Prime Minister stated: “Jamaica is at a stage in its development where it has to reflect and indeed attempt to modernize all its institutions including the various holidays that we celebrate and indeed including our system of national honours awards.”
The Prime Minister continued: “The creation of a new category of honour, the category of National Icon, is absolutely important as we seek to modernize of our system of national honour and it will adequately capture and reflect the dignity and honour of those persons who are making their contribution to the modern day Jamaica.”
The Prime Minister noted that the formation of this new honour is part of a broader effort to update Jamaica’s national awards system, recognizing those who have significantly contributed to the nation’s cultural, social, and economy. “What we started with 60 years ago would not necessarily fully capture all the persons who are making significant contributions today to the development of the country,” Prime Minister Holness stated.
The Prime Minister also referenced a committee established during the administration of Honourable Bruce Golding, led by the late Professor Rex Nettleford, which reviewed the system of National Honours and Awards. This committee’s work, expanded by a more recent review under the current administration, informed the decision to create the new Order of National Icon.
Further recommendations will be made public in the coming weeks.
The Prime Minister congratulated the 2024 awardees, for their invaluable contributions to Brand Jamaica.