Bajan national receives top award in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding has hailed businessman, Desmond Blades as an icon and champion of industry who richly deserved to be recognized with a high award of the nation.

Mr. Golding expressed these sentiments during the conferment of the Order of Jamaica by Governor General, Patrick Allen on Mr. Blades at a brief ceremony at Kings House this morning, May 12.

The Prime Minister said of Mr. Blades: that “When companies, much larger than his own could not survive the onslaught of forces of one kind or of another, he was able not only to survive, but was able to grow and expand. He saw opportunities in adversity and knew how to turn them into triumph.”

A native of Barbados, Mr. Blades and Peggy his wife of 60 years, have lived and raised their family in Jamaica for nearly 50 years. The octogenarian, who is a cancer survivor, stood throughout his conferment in the upstairs drawing room of Kings House with family members including his wife, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Colleague and close friend, education activist, writer and businessman, Ralph Thompson, recalled that Mr. Blades believed in Jamaica during trying times in the country’s history.

“When things got tough, he never moved; he stayed. He is a very brave fellow and a fighter.”

Recipients of the Order of Jamaica, which has as its motto “For a Covenant of the People”, have a high level of achievement in their chosen field and have demonstrated an optimistic outlook for Jamaica.