TT needs leaders to inspire the nation

THE EDITOR: I am proud to be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago. I am proud to be living here. I am happy when I wake up I am able to call to my neighbour who may be East Indian or African, or Chinese. We greet each other with brotherly love, even though as individuals we differ in our likes and dislikes. As a matter of fact, even in our politics we may not share the same views, but that does not affect our neighbourliness. God knows that I long for the day when leaders would speak of our people, our nation, a nation with one destiny — a successful nation based on the richness of our culture, our diversity and the energy and commitment of our people.

Trinidad and Tobago needs a different type of leadership. It does not need leadership based on this ethnic group or that ethnic group. The leadership, of which I speak, must take our people to great heights of accomplishments. Accom-plishments that they never expected to achieve as a people. It is time that our people be given an opportunity to share in a vision which will encourage and harness the energy and enthusiasm of our people — all our people; the young and old, rich and poor, intellectual and technocrats. We need as a people to understand where we are going and how we are going to get there. We are a people with tremendous potential.

All we need is inspiring leadership, which will motivate us, to put country first. Our commitment to country must begin in the primary schools. All our schools must play a pivotal role in preparing our young minds to see themselves as meaningful and worthy contributors to nation building; to the building up and the protection of our society. Also the religious groups, the NGO’s, the trade unions and more importantly the news media, must play their part in taking us to the promise land. Trinidad is at the crossroads. We can either sink or swim free to build and grow. It is time for a paradigm shift. It is time for our leaders not only to talk the talk, but also walk the talk, by putting in place mechanism to facilitate more meaningful contribution of every citizen of this beautiful land of ours. God bless our nation.

COLVIN BLAIZE
Chaguanas