The president of the SSFL, William Wallace and the league’s general secretary, Azaad Khan made the offer on Friday during a meeting with Minister Garcia and Dr Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and senior executives of the Ministry.

Minister Garcia said he has been an avid fan and follower of the SSFL for many years and he was happy to become the patron of the league.

He said he fondly remembered the days when Fatima College, of which he was once a principal, was triumphant for many years in holding the SSFL champion title.

Minister Garcia added that another reason for him meeting with the SSFL was to discuss some matters affecting the league, and how they may impact students participating in the competition. One of the issues raised in the meeting was students who are enrolled in schools but do not attend classes, yet they are still allowed to play football for their respective schools.

He expressed concerns that there are cases of students/players working in commercial establishments when they should be in school.

The Minister stressed that this is unfair to the students and must be dealt with immediately. After some discussions among all parties, it was agreed that the Ministry of Education and the league’s administrators must establish clear guidelines to regulate this situation.

The guidelines will be finalised and communicated to the schools and general public soon.

Speaking to reporters after being sworn-in, for the second time, at President’s House, St Ann’s, on Thursday night, Le Hunte said there was much work to be done in the ministry..

“I always said that my whole idea of coming back and moving from the private sector to the public sector was about giving service,” he said..

“I am still very much enthused to do that I think there is a lot of work to be done in the ministry in providing water and electricity to the people of Trinidad and Tobago..

“This ministry touches the people where it matters and I am anxious to put this behind me and move on to the work at hand which is serving the people of Trinidad and Tobago and trying to provide them with efficient utility services.” Asked about the negativity which surrounded the revocation of his appointment after news surfaced he was also a Ghanaian citizen, Le Hunte said: “This is not how I would have liked my first week in office to be at all.” Le Hunte, who apologised to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and the people of TT for the communication glitch, said based on the professional advice and information provided to him when he was first appointed, one week ago, the concept of dual citizenship was not an issue..

However, Le Hunte said over the weekend, he recognised there was an issue and brought it to the attention of the Office of the Prime Minster and Rowley..

He said he took immediate steps on Monday to rectify the situation..

“Those steps included flying to Ghana, revoking my citizenship which has now been done and I am back here with all matters being cleared up with nothing preventing me from assuming this position,” Le Hunte said..

Le Hunte said when he accepted citizenship in Ghana on December 28, 2016, “ I always remained a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago..

I never at any time renounced my Trinidad and Tobago citizenship.” He said the renouncing of his Ghanaian citizenship should not affect his future prospects in the African country..

“At this point in time I am here. This is where I am and I am sure the relationship between Ghana and Trinidad will continue and I am sure I can travel back to Ghana. My wife is also a Ghanaian, so I think I have rights to be able to go back there.” Looking ahead, Le Hunte warned that a plan of action for two major State entities – the Water and Sewerage Authority and T&T Electricity Commission, – must fit within the framework of dwindling revenue. “The revenue that we get as a country is now less and we have to find ways to make these utilities as efficient as possible,” he said. “We have to find ways of making people do more with less because we do have less as a country.” Le Hunte said the problems in the operations of public utilities need to be tackled “head on.”

“He (Rowley) will face legal action on three fronts and by Monday we should have our documents in order. As soon as he comes back from his prostate examination, he will face a legal examination,” Moonilal told Sunday Newsday.

“He will face a legal onslaught from me. We will not allow him to get away with what we believe to be misbehaviour in public office.” Moonilal said apart from suing the Prime Minister for slander, he will also seek to bring a constitutional motion against the State for violation of his constitutional rights.

During a news conference at the Piarco International Airport on Friday, shortly before his departure for the United States, where he is due to undertake a medical check-up, Rowley waded into the Oropouche East MP for comments made by the latter in relation to the arrest of former attorney general Anand Ramlogan.

Ramlogan has been charged with obstructing justice by using threats and bribery in October 2014 to persuade incoming Police Complaints Authority director David West to not give evidence in Ramlogan’s defamation case against then Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.

He is also accused of misbehaving in public office by improperly endeavouring for West not to testify on Rowley’s behalf. The matter has been adjourned to January.

Rowley, at the briefing, had accused Moonilal of making comments which he said were meant to “dog whistle” to certain people by suggesting the government was using its power to persecute people of East Indian descent. He claimed Moonilal had deemed Ramlogan’s arrest was oppression by the government.

The Prime Minister also alleged that Moonilal was under investigation by the police in relation to the alleged mishandling of more than $400 million at the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited in August 2015, prior to the last general election.

He claimed the Attorney General’s office and a State enterprise had gone to court to complain about eight or ten people, including Moonilal, who were named in connection with the matter.

Moonilal yesterday said Khan was drafting a letter to the Commissioner of Police to inquire as to whether or not he is involved in any police investigation as a suspect or person of interest.

“But more importantly, in light of this now, to either confirm or (deny) the information of Dr Rowley that I am involved in an investigation and I will be charged and appear in court, because that is what he said, ‘When I appear in court.’” The Opposition MP said a constitutional motion against the State was also on the cards.

“We are also looking at a constitutional motion against the State for violation of my constitutional rights when the prime minister prejudiced and seeks to influence any impending police action,” he said. On his bid to seek damages for slander, Moonilal said: “We have his statements on tape and I am a public figure and my image and my character are important tools in my trade as a politician and former minister. My character, my reputation are important in my trade.’ Moonilal said Rowley, by virtue of his allegations, had damaged his reputation in telling the country that “I am the subject of a police investigation and I will be charged and appear in court.” “That has caused serious stress and frustration to myself, my family and my friends and Dr Rowley must answer in court, how he knows that to be a fact at this time.” Moonilal said Rowley’s actions were tantamount to misbehaviour in public office. “To use the office of prime minister to pronounce on investigations and to influence and direct the police as to what they should do, I think he went over the line here,” he said.

“He (Rowley) made racists statements against me and sought to castigate me as a racist. He said I blew a dog whistle. But he alone blew the whistle.”

But also like religion, education is being shamelessly exploited for financial gain at the detriment of many (especially poorer) people in society.

I was really ignorant of this from the angle of education, as it was only after several recent conversations with seasoned teachers and parents preparing their children for the new school term, did I become cognisant of the different ways in which the education of children is being exploited: textbooks, lessons, uniforms, fundraisers, donations and a lot of self-serving educators.

At both the primary and secondary school levels, it begins with the book lists; the prices of the many books required for a primary school education is baffling to me.

The substantive content of the English language or mathematics have not changed since I was in primary school in the 90s, so why do the text books? Is there some new way to construct sentences or to do calculations that I am unaware of? If that is not the case, it seems as though publishers are prolonging the life of their textbooks by taking the same material, making minor changes and switching things around so the same information appears on different pages in the “new edition.” In addition to forcing parents to buy these “new editions” with all the old content, some schools monopolise the buying process.

For example, a primary school in the Diego Martin area directs all parents to purchase books at a particular book store in Curepe. How and why is this even allowed? It would be very interesting to know what the true underlying relationship is between the owner of the book store and the principal of that school. And just when you thought the only expense was the exorbitantly priced textbooks, there is a uniform for every occasion at the school and transportation in one of those private vans is increasing by the term. In my time, using public transportation was fairly reliable and definitely safe for both male and female students. Nowadays, no parent who can afford otherwise, allows their female children to travel even to the nearest school, and who can really blame these private school vans for cashing in on the escalating crime rate? The secondary level is no different.

I saw booklists with prices for two “prestige” schools in Port-of- Spain, and the books for one form two student at a faith-based institution was in excess of $3,000. Three grand for textbooks! The other non-faith-based school had some of its books provided by the Government and, still, the costs weren’t far off. The provision of free textbooks by the Government was one of the first things the current Minister of Education decided to cut and since then, he has been slashing funding to education like a man possessed.

The offering of after-school lessons needs to be monitored closely because it is exploitation in its purest sense. Suddenly, it seems as though lessons are being offered everywhere and by everybody in every subject area. It really is akin to those doctors at the general hospitals who refer patients to their private practice to rip them off on the outside.

Why exactly do so many children need after-school lessons? Which begs the question: are teachers not teaching during the day? Lessons used to be a one-on-one, more personal experience, but these classes are now as big as the regular classes at school, so what is the extra cost for? Why can the curriculum be taught properly at lessons, but not at school? Figure that one out.

Now, as we should all know, the secondary school system is twotiered: there are the fully funded Government schools like many of the junior and senior secondary schools (call it what you like now), and the Government-assisted faithbased schools like colleges and convents.

Yet, with the Government subvention, parents are being asked to purchase paper and ink for printers, and apparently become an Office Depot for the school.

Apparently, some principals are now being overly frugal with Government subvention to highlight their ability to “save the ministry money” while parents carry the burden. Now we understand the “coincidence” as to why the children of affluent and influential people in our society end up at a select few colleges and convents, which also “coincidentally” explains why those schools are top class in all aspects.

Education is now as big a business as having a church, and it is sad that the people most af fected by the exploitation are the ones who deserve the most assistance.

It is bumpy, wavy and dangerous.

The UNC must be blamed for this dilapidated road, which is a main road to get to Bejucal Village.

This road has been in disrepair for decades.

I am now appealing to the Government to expand and pitch this road for light and heavy vehicles and drivers.

It is unfortunate that the UNC neglected this particular road.

I believe that before Christmas Warren Road will be fixed.

AHAMAD KHAYYAM Curepe

Williams, 14, who is blind passed for his first choice in the 2017 Secondary Entrance Assessment examination.

His mother Alicia Modeste beamed with pride at her son’s achievement despite being visually- impaired.

“Samuel was born completely blind but as he got older I knew he had the ability to reach far, that is why I pushed him, because he is determined,” Modeste, a domestic worker, told Sunday Newsday yesterday. Williams, who lives on Neverson Street, San Juan with his parents and siblings attended the School for the Blind, Santa Cruz and was one of the few students who sat the SE A exam.

Despite the lengthy closure of the school in the last academic year, Williams defied the odds and excelled.

His success did not go unnoticed by St Joseph MP and Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh. “When I heard of Williams’ success at the Secondary Entrance Assessment examination there was no hesitation to assist him,” said Deyalsingh at his constituency office in Mt Lambert.

Deyalsingh presented Williams with school supplies including a new laptop, braille machine, bookbag, stationery and school uniforms.

The teenager will also receive a desktop computer, DAISY Digital Talking Book programme and Kurzweil Educational Systems scanner—a scan and read software that makes printed or electronic text accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired.

“We are experiencing a delay with the other items as they are coming from the US, but rest assured Samuel will get them,” stated Deyalsingh.

Williams is eager to put his new gadgets to use in the new school term. He urged other blind children to never give up on life because, “You never know when something good will happen to you.” Williams has high hopes of becoming a meteorologist. He enjoys playing cricket with the School for the Blind and fondly remembers his attempts at playing football with his siblings. He expressed his gratitude for his school supplies and showed great interest in using his laptop.

“I pledge to continuously support him (Williams) throughout his academic life,” Deyalsingh promised.

Campbell finished seventh on the overall table, with 96 points in Pam Am event, resulting in her being crowned the best Caribbean athlete of the Women’s Omnium.

Speaking to Newsday after her event, Campbell Stated, “The tournament has been really good to me and so far it is a very good experience as I have been competing against world champions.” Teniel crashed in the Tempo Race event which threw her back on the standings and also physically as she had to battle her way back up the ranks while riding through the slight injuries she sustained to her hip.

She continued, “In the end, it really paid off as the nation saw how much heart I had to recover as I really wanted to, at least, be crowned the Caribbean champion.” Yesterday, Campbell competed in the 500M event and today she will be in action when she attempts to win a Pan Am medal in the Women’s Keirin.

Jennifer Valente of the United States recorded a total of 160 overall points to claim the gold medal of the Women’s Omnium while Mexican Yarley Salazar managed silver with her overall 134 points.

Angie Gonzalez representing Venezuela secured the final podium spot with 128 points. Rounding off the Caribbean podium were Cuban Idarys Cervantes (92 pts) in second and Tamiko Butler of Antigua (68 pts). Mexico’s representation in the Women’s Sprint grabbed the gold and silver after Luz Daniela Gaxiola finished in a time of 11.48 seconds and Poala Verdugo in 11.62 seconds, respectively. USA’s Madalyn Godby took the bronze with her time of 11.84 seconds.

In the Men’s Points Race, Eric Young of the United States captured the gold medal with 21 points where he was closely followed by Chilean Antonio Cabrera on 19 points. Columbia’s Edwin Avila secured the bronze medal in the event, also finishing with 19 points.

The individual Men’s Pursuit saw TT’s Jovian Gomez placing 17th overall in the event. Canada took both gold and silver as Derek Gee and Jay Lamoureux secured the points race, respectively, followed by Ignacio Delgado of Mexico for bronze. The event concludes this evening at the National Cycling Centre, Couva, pedalling off at 6 pm. Entrance to the evening event cost TT $50 while this morning’s action, starting at 10 am, is free to the public.

“I am T and T’s number one multi-talented hairstylist, a servant of the Lord and everything being done right now is not my work. It is God’s work,” declares 37-yearold Murray.

Her first homeless client was a friend who fell on hard times and lives on the streets.

“I started going to church and one Sunday after church I trimmed a close friend of mine, Devon who is homeless. He asked me if I could trim men and I was like yes, so I trimmed him and he was completely amazed.” Inspired, Murray says she went to Riverside Plaza one Sunday (August 13) to help the homeless there but her spirit moved her to go to neighbouring Tamarind Square.

“I turned around and saw Tamarind Square and instead of going Riverside Plaza where there was a roof over our heads I decided to go to Tamarind Square.” She asked if anyone wanted a trim.

“They were reluctant at first but I persisted.

I went inside the square and asked again.

They eventually answered me and showed me where the electricity outlet was. I went in with my kids, so they were all around playing while I set up my equipment. One guy came and started encouraging them to come get a haircut and they came. On that day, I did three haircuts. I took before and after pics and posted them on social media and they went viral.” Her video to date has had over 9,000 views and was shared 125 times on Facebook.

Murray believes she was naturally gifted to help others look good by styling their hair. “Since I was eight-years-old I would cornrow my cousins’ hair, they would always come back for me to do so and I enjoyed that.” Living in Belmont, Murray attended Belmont Junior Secondary School and South East Port of Spain Government Secondary School where she pursued business subjects.

“Initially my dream was to go further in business and then I had my daughter at the age of 17 and everything changed for me. I had to financially support myself and my child so I started working and saving towards starting my own salon. I took courses at Michael and Gloria Beauty Salon and School to become certified. I have been a hairdresser for the past 15 years.” Murray is now a mother of four – Tia Murray, 19, Sanchez Hamit, 12, Tamia Murray, eight, and fouryear- old Emmanuel.

“I am a single parent and my children are my pride and joy. They are hard workers.” A Christian, Murray proclaims greatness in her life, and this affirmation has often helped her through many challenges, and now her dream is a reality.

“At first I had a hair salon business named Far Rise Beauty Factory back in 2005 and I have also established Rich Girlz Empire four years now to accommodate my own hairline– Rich Girlz Instant Dreadlocks.” Her outreach includes preaching on live stream videos.

“I started doing Facebook Live videos each morning called–Thank You Lord where I would be preaching the word of God. It has been five months now. On my live videos, I was doing it to help people, including my clients, I forgot all about myself.

Little did I know I was actually speaking great things into my life,” she declares.

“If we really submit our lives to God he will give us instant breakthroughs and he will put forth a vision for your life. Ask him for the clarity to see the path he is directing you on in your life. He is ready and always willing to listen to our pleas.” With the public noticing her good works, people came forward to assist her. Barber Keyv Young from KJ Quality Styles Unisex Barber Salon, Barataria, Nickholas May and his wife Kavita from Ultimate Barber Shop, Curepe and Brendon Adams from Freestyle Hair Salon, join her on Sundays to cut the men’s hair. Volunteers include Sian Cuffy-Young, Kafi Douglas-De Souza, Amika Mc Kenzie and Aqlimiyya Cockburn.

Laventille East/Morvant MP Adrian Leonce also came on Sunday and trimmed some of the men.

The men are deeply touched by what Murray does for them.

“I must say, the work Nakisha is doing is very satisfactory. I hope she keeps up the good work and gets the recognition and help she deserves.

She will reach far,” says 52-year-old AC James.

For Anthony Pierre, 37, Murray is sharing “good vibes” by her good deeds.

“They are helping clean up the homeless while spreading good vibes through their hard work,” Pierre says after a satisfying trim.

With a growing list of people patiently awaiting their haircuts, Murray and her team of volunteer barbers and sponsors are always ready.

Gloria Castro, who returned to Trinidad after living in Maryland in the United States for 45, made a donation last Sunday.

“It is really touching to see the work that this young woman is doing.

The Lord is going to bless her. Other big businesses who are capable of helping, need to come out and support this initiative,” says Castro.

Murray is still stunned by the outpouring of support since her video post.

“My first response to this initiative going viral is that I was shocked.

I did not expect such an overwhelming response from the public. We need to treat displaced people like normal human beings and not just categorise them as homeless. With the help of other barbers volunteering their time we did 19 heads, thank God.” Over recent Sundays, Murray has bonded with some of the men, among them Steve Rajkumar, Tall Boy, La Brea, Red Ras and Green Eyes, quickly learning their nicknames while giving them a transformative trim.

“When I went there the first day I listened and the homeless asked me a lot of questions. I came here to see you all smile I told them. It was about God. My initiative is to see them smile and touch their lives in a positive way. This led to the creation of Let’s Smile Mission.” “The people living in Tamarind Square need a friend and I am being that friend to them.” Speaking on their behalf, Murray appealed for a rehabilitation centre for the homeless where they can go for shelter and people can voluntarily teach them a trade.

“If we have the resources to do it, why not do it? We need to change their mind set with inspiring seminars because they are willing to come off the street,” she appeals.

(Last week, Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez disclosed plans to acquire land to build a centre for the homeless.) The Let’s Smile Mission also aims at training the homeless to cut hair, as a means to reintegrate them into society and to the world of work. However, the facilities are needed to propel Murray’s mission.

“I also try to make packages for them consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste and a jersey for all those who were our clients for the day.

Things are also falling into place as well-wishers and supporters have helped supply us get tables, tents, chairs and food. I am grateful that this initiative has been able to attract a lot of support in such a short space of time.” Murray has a concern that some may thwart her mission, disclosing her Facebook account has been hacked, forcing her to set up a new one. But she is not giving in.

“I don’t want my mission to fall into the wrong hands because it will be used for the wrong reasons. However, I hold firm to this mission. It would be extremely helpful if people can donate to us beautician materials like capes, razor blades, shampoo, large bottles of water and professional clippers. I have been able to finance this initiative thus far with new equipment and sanitisers but there is more than can be done.

The mindset of receiving should be the same mind set we have when giving. Be generous and you can always volunteer with us.”

Note: To donate or volunteer contact Nakisha Murray: 370- 1695

Amidst a talk that wandered here and there she asked, “What is our Miss World representative going to wear for her talent piece?” “Well, supposedly something that represents Trinidad,” I replied.

“What do you mean something that represents Trinidad? Isn’t she taking herself? Isn’t that enough? I never understand these foolish things people do to ‘represent’ Trinidad.” “I understand, but you see it’s a matter of being politically correct,” I replied. “What do you mean politically correct? Nonsense! She is Trinidadian isn’t she? How much more politically correct are you going to get?” That was it. But I wonder, how many of the younger generation share her view? If so, then we are lucky.

In his column last week Sunday, Professor Ramesh Deosaran placed a question before us –”Is patriotism dead?” He was speaking about the killing and selling of the meat of the scarlet ibis, our national bird.

To continue that offering (a column is hardly a place where one can fully explore an argument. Instead we put before the public bite-sized ideas to think about), I place my own views.

The killing of the scarlet ibis is an atrocious act. My first reaction is one of annoyance–indignation at people’s disregard for the environment.

Second comes the thought about lawlessness. But that too, is about a lack of respect. Throwing garbage in the river or loud music on a quiet Sunday would rankle me because these acts represent a disregard for others. For me, it’s about responsibility and consideration for the community in which you live for your littering affects everyone.

This is another type of patriotism though, one that is too long to discuss here, but we can call it communal patriotism. In many cases, the killing of the scarlet ibis is about economic gain. And there are people who buy, as Professor Deosaran noted. So there are a couple of guilty parties, neither of which, I would surmise, has cast a thought about whether his actions are unpatriotic.

For this is not about patriotism.

It is about our understanding of civic duties and responsibility. But let’s take “civic” out of it for that too implies a sense of citizenship, which inevitably references nationalism.

So, rather than patriotism, our education should instead focus on cultivating a sense of social responsibility in future generations.

That would entail for instance, a deeper care for the space in which they live and cultivating a sense of respect for others. This education is a slow process because it will necessitate the development of a sense of belonging to the world at large. But it is worth the time. While this may be unrealistic, so is world peace, but we still try.

In a previous age when the native people’s dependence on the environment would have inspired more care for it, in contemporary times, technology and imported goods have taken over the focus on environment.

The scarlet ibis, for instance, now becomes just another aspect of state property, another “thing,” protected by law. So, over time, the bird became an abstract legal entity without a background story. Killing and selling the meat of the ibis, therefore, in a sense, represents the irrelevance of the icon to the larger population.

The question that arises is are we, in any way, emotionally connected to this idea of the national bird unless you are a nationalist or an environmentalist for instance? Because patriotism is partly emotional and people are generally loyal to something with which they feel a deep emotional connection.

To make matters worse, the world is open to us. Social media and the Internet have changed the way that we now interact. Our natural tendency is movement and as a diasporic people we have always looked outward.

So the question of patriotism to the state is a dead one. How many of us would choose to stay here should we be given the open invitation to migrate to the US or UK or Canada without the visa hassle? This discussion of patriotism runs a lot deeper than my brief outline. It requires more discussion than a single column can explore. As a diasporic people we have always been in the fluid position to script our own version of nationalism and patriotism.

So, I put before the reader some preliminary questions: How are we to define ourselves? Perhaps as that young niece asked “Isn’t her ‘self ’ enough?” Why are we still placing emphasis on terms like nationalism and patriotism? Congratulations to all on our 55th Independence anniversary! May we move from strength to strength.

Our country suffers a great deal from corruption and I would really like to know what Dr Keith Rowley is going to do about it, if anything.

GORDON DALLA COSTA via email