Latapy-George, brother of ex-national captain and coach Russell Latapy, replaced Azaad Khan who served in an interim role for a year.

During a recent interview, Latapy- George spoke of his career in football, on and off the field, and what he wishes to accomplish during his time as the TTFA general secretary.

JOEL BAILEY: “How have you adapted to this new role so far?”

JUSTIN LATAPY-GEORGE: “it is a pleasure to have been selected, through an interview process, to be the g eneral secretary of the TTFA. Football has been a major part of my life from ever since I could remember and now, having gotten into administration as a full-time job for a number of years, to come to this point, I think it’s a personal accomplishment and a professional one as well. Having said that, the adjustment continues.

“The TTFA is a very unique company. It’s over 100 years old. We have had good things and some challenges. Now we’re looking to see how carefully we can review all that we’re doing, all our operations, to take us into that next direction which is really ensuring that we implement football, with all of our stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago and the larger world, in a very positive and progressive way.”

JB: “Who is Justin Latapy- George?”

JLG: “I went to Nelson Street Boys, played at Success Laventille before getting in to Malick Secondary where I played at the InterCol level, went on to playing a bit at Jabloteh, then I finally got a scholarship opportunity prior to living a bit in Europe with my brother Russell Latapy.

I got a scholarship opportunity in the US which really took me on the trajectory to balancing both the academic and athletics.

From there really pursing an education in recreation through Sports Management and finally ending with a MBA with a specialisation in management and a Masters in Sports Management, with a Minor in Business.” JB: “Were you into football administration before or is this something new to you?”

JLG: “the administration of football as a sole sporting product, it’s the first time. I worked with the Ministry of Sports as a Facility Manager. I also worked at the Sports Company where I was a Sports Services Officer for cycling and basketball. I later went on to work at the University of the West Indies (UWI) where I served as a Sports Coordinator before, through an interview process, being selected as a director at UWI SPEC (Sports and Physical Education Centre), related to my substantive post, after serving off my term.

“Then I moved on to my last dispensation, in terms of work, (as) the Technical Sports Director for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in the Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports.”

JB: “Being the brother of Russell Latapy, are you asked that question every time you say your name or do you take it in stride and chart your own path? JLG: “I think it has been a 50- 50. Obviously the last name is synonymous with someone we know and love as a country, and then the Latapy-George (tends) to throw people off a bit because I do have a hyphenated last name. But, ultimately, my career and my life thus far has been one where the opportunity of having the name of Latapy has opened a lot of doors.

“From time to time, it has really allowed me to get into avenues that may not have been easily available for others. But, having said that, the fact of the matter is that I had to prove myself every step of the way. And I think I would have done that successfully.

I’m just being a little bit shy about it but to be where I’m at should say something about what I’m doing as a professional in the field of sports management.

JB: “Finally, have you set himself any aims or accomplishments as the TTFA general secretary, or are you taking things step by step?”

JLG: “it’s a combination of the two. The reality is that the Association is going through that change. The executive is still new, it’s over a year. We’re looking at what we’re doing. We’re implementing a couple new programmes.

So there is that dayby- day function that we have to monitor.

On a professional level, what I would really want to do is see us getting our home for football (and) really operationalise our office structure.

“I think we’re at a point now, after a 100 years-plus of history, that we need to have our office structure that is independent of what happens at that level, where the Association has hired professionals that are competent in their own rights, who are able to deliver the mandate that may be set forth by the Board or the executive, do that competently (and) professionally. We have a degree of integrity that a 100-plus year old company should have, to ensure that we continue to propel football in that direction.

“We have to go back to the fact that years ago, we dominated the Caribbean and to the point that we even tackled our regional partners.

Whether we have regressed a bit or whether our partners have caught up with us, we can debate.

But the reality is that we are not where we used to be in terms of dominance. And a lot of that has to do with an overall structure.

“Our administrative arm, I believe, plays a very significant role to ensure that we gain some level of prominence in the region but, more importantly, we step forward understanding that football has evolved where the administration of sport, in particular football, has evolved.

And we have to ensure that we are doing the things as a sporting entity that speaks to the yeoman service that we need to give to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

The master trainer sends out three in the Champagne Stakes, a race has saddled the winner over the past three years.

The one to be on in this 1600 metrs turf race, however, seems to be Magical Victory who finished third in the Tanglewood Stakes in Barbados a month ago.

But this one will have to hold off strong challenges from stablemates Trini Navigator, fifth in the Barbados Gold Cup and recent winner Howsweetitis.

O’Brien (John) will field another trio of contenders for the Infallibility Stakes for three-year-olds over 1750 metres.

His charge Lord Silver was just held off in a 1350 metres run last time out and should get his head in front this time.

But in a very competitive race, Valorous, Rocket Wheels, Royal Moon and Leading Lady should make it a very exciting finish.

The Arima Race Club ten-race holiday programme is timed to begin at noon today.

At the San Juan North Secondary School Ground, James got his name on the scoresheet in the second, fifth and 44th minutes, while Baker got the ball into the back of the net in the eighth, 69th and 70th.

Jaheim Faustin scored a pair, in the 11th and 13th, while Nkosi Ambrose (32nd) and Israel Joseph (59th) contributed one apiece.

W Connection breezed past Morvant Caledonia United 4-0 at the Union Recreation Ground, Claxton Bay. Shakeem Williams opened the scoring in the fourth minute while there was an own goal in the 20th.

Molik Khan got Connection’s third in the 47th and Jkwon Bailey sealed the deal with a strike in the 67th.

Central FC overcame a combative Defence Force outfit 3-2 at the Trinity East College Ground in Trincity.

Central FC raced to a 2-0 lead with items from Kyle Ramdoo (12th) and Ocean Lindsay (22nd) before Defence Force responded with goals from Joshua Mason (33rd) and Terrell Gibson (40th). However, Central FC would have the final say, as Daylon Riley netted the winner in the 47th.

In the other Under- 13 fixture on the day, Club Sando and North East Stars played to a 1-1 draw at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium’s Training Field in Marabella. Josiah Cooper put Sando in front in the 47th before Terron Miller evened the scores five minutes later.

Other Scores – UNDER-15 DIVISION – At Trinity East College Ground, Trincity: DEFENCE FOR CE (3) – Justin Araujo- Wilson 2nd, 29th, 54th vs CENTRAL FC (0).

At Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, Marabella: CLUB SANDO (3) – Rhowen Stewart Williams 8th; Noah Simmons 21st; Marvin Waldrop 28th vs NORT H EAST ST ARS (0).

At Union Recreation Ground, Claxton Bay: W CONNECTION (2) – Nicholas Dyett 11th; Denilson Dogan 52nd vs MOR VANT CALEDONIA UNITED (1) – Cade Massy 6th.

At San Juan North Secondary School Ground: SAN JUAN JABLOT EH (1) – Micai Peters 2nd vs POINT FORT IN CIVIC (0).

UNDER-17 DIVISION – At Trinity East College Ground, Trincity: CENTRAL FC (2) – Ajani Joseph 5th; Tyrique Muhammed 61st vs DEFENCE FOR CE (1) – Jakeem McNeil 43rd.

At Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, Marabella: NORT H EAST ST ARS (3) – John Paul Rochford 6th; Keyon Boney 55th, 79th vs CLUB SANDO (1) – Isa Bramble 59th.

At Union Recreation Ground, Claxton Bay: W CONNECTION (1) – Shoaib Khan 68th vs MOR VANT CALEDONIA UNITED (0).

At San Juan North Secondary School Ground: SAN JUAN JABLOT EH (2) – Jodel Brown 33rd; Kyle Thomas 87th vs POINT FORT IN CIVIC (0).

Quincy Alexander started it off just right for the red, white and black when he clinched an exciting Men’s Keirin Final.

With less than 100 metres to go Alexander, along with team captian Njisane Phillip, Hersony Canelon (Venezuela), Thireef Smart (Team Breakaway) and Dominic Suozzi (United States) were all alongside each other at top speed sprinting to the finish line.

Alexander was adjudged the winner in front of a roaring crowd as it took a photo finish to split the remaining four as Phillip got silver and Canelon held off Smart for the bronze.

During an interview with Newsday, Phillip expressed the faith he has in his team’s ability to endure and execute, at the right time, during the Grand Prix.

Philip stated, “Right now I think we have a really strong and young team in the competition and I believe Trinidad and Tobago will continue to have a great showing, heading into the final day, in both the Sprint and Endurance events.” He encouraged his teammates to channel their recent form from the local competitions and adding to their performances thus far by shifting one gear up as they battle their international competition at the National Cycling Centre, Couva.

Phillip emphasised, “Our young riders have a lot of confidence and once they continue executing their rides, in a similar manner to what they have been producing over the last couple of events and races, I think the team would do really well. Sometimes we have to step it up a notch to successfully compete against the international competition and secure the victories as all our athletes, and by extension the team, have the ability and depth within to generate positive results.” TT’s Teniel Campbell once again showed her mettle after bouncing back from placing third in the Elite and International Women 2 Lap, to win the Unknown Distance, Elimination and 12 Lap events. For displaying fine cycling form and her consistent podium finishes, Campbell was named the Most Outstanding International Lady Cyclist for the Grand Prix.

Starlet, Jabari Whiteman (TT) was edged out by Javier Aguero (Venezuela) in the International Men’s Unknown distance race but managed to gain enough points to be named the Most Outstanding International Male Cyclist for the Grand Prix, a huge feat for the debutant junior cyclist.

In the UCI Scratch Event, Akil Campbell (PSL) timed his jump to perfection with just about 200m remaining as he led out the sprint for the hosts. Campbell’s jump proved too strong as he rode away with the win as Daniel Holloway from the USA claimed second and the young junior cyclist, Lorenzo Orosco, grabbing bronze for TT.

Rigtech Sonics CC won the title for Most Outstanding Club, narrowly defeating Arima Wheelers CC by eight points with newcomers Open Road Challenge Accepted placing third on the overall standings.

The third and final day of Grand Prix’ culminates with the grand finale today at the National Cycling Centre with two sessions from 10 am and 5 pm.

Admission for the morning session is FREE for all patrons while the 5 pm session is $50 for adults and $10 for kids under 12.

All senior citizens, 65 years and over, are also free with their ID during the morning session.

A three-paragraph statement from the corporate communications unit of the Ministry of Health yesterday said Government had agreed to settle the balance owed to employees in the multi-million dollar payout-

“Over 16,000 workers in the health care system benefited from this payment of the remaining 50% of arrears of salary which amounted to approximately TT$636,000,000,” the ministry said-

The ministry thanked all health care workers for their patience and dedication to duty “as together we strive to deliver quality health care services to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” Among those who will be smiling to the bank on Tuesday are doctors, nurses, ward attendants, clerical staff, lab technicians and other categories of workers-

The development, however, is not sitting well with president of the Public Services Association (PSA) Watson Duke, who described the long-awaited move as “disappointing and hurtful.” Duke insisted the money should have been paid pronto-

“When you owe people, you pay them immediately or else you pay interest and if you can’t pay interest, they should not have taxed the money. So, it is no win for us,” he said-

“The money has been devalued-

In 2013, the money was actually TT$6.15 for US$1. Today, it is now TT$7 for US$1-

“The amount of money that TT$60,000 could buy was about US$10,000 in 2013. However, the same TT$60,000, try to buy US dollars with it now and you will get about US$8,000. So, it shows that your money, though the digits are the same, you have to compare our dollar against the US dollar.” While the development is likely to brighten Easter for the workers, Duke told Sunday Newsday the money actually reaching employees will be affected by inflation-

“Inflation has grown exponentially since the rise of the PNM administration in Trinidad and Tobago in 2015. And so you pay more for transportation, you pay more for food, you pay more NIS. You pay more for importing stuff with your credit card-

“You pay more right around the clock and they are now hell bent on telling us 0-0-0 in the future-

So, this may very well be the last increase and they are threatening the man who owns a house with increased taxes, which in turn, will redound to the very same employees.” Duke added: “So, we should not have been in this position-

They (Government) should have been settling now the 2017 to 2019 negotiation. This should have been paid out now. But they have a hole missing. They are now treating with 2011 to 2013, as if it were a morning matter-

No, we are dissatisfied with that.” Duke said the first 50 percent was paid out last July for Trinidad RHA workers while their Tobago counterparts were supposed to have received theirs in September 2016, but they are still waiting-

“We are extremely concerned about the disparity that exists between workers in Tobago compared to their counterparts in Trinidad-

Those workers in Tobago are comparable with their counterparts in Trinidad in every single way – education, ability, and even experience-

They are on par. Why is it that they are treated less than their counterparts? Why is it that they are always second in line to receive their pay?” Duke, who is also Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Minority Leader, said when the Health Ministry receives money from the Ministry of Finance, it receives money for all of the RHAs-

“Why is it, then, that Tobago RHA is not paid? he asked-

However, leader of the newly- formed United Protectors of the PSA, Oral Saunders, who is seeking to unseat Duke as president in the November election, yesterday welcomed the Government’s payout-

“In spite of the payments coming almost two years later than our counterparts in the public service, we are thankful for the Government honouring its commitment to the workers,” Saunders told Sunday Newsday-

“We recognise that the economic situation facing the country has changed rapidly from the past couple of years to the present time and we are extremely happy for the payment.” Saunders confirmed workers assigned to the Trinidad-based RHAs have been paid, “but I have not heard any feedback from Tobago.” “If it is that they have not been paid, we hope the Government will do all in its power to ensure that that payment is made and that the new collective period for 2014, 2015 and 2016 begins.” Saunders said if the United Protectors assumes office later this year, “we will be engaging all public officers to really be a part of the drafting of those proposals that will be sent to the Government-

“Unlike what is happening now where Mr Duke has asked for people to come out and protest and they (public officers) do not know what they are protesting about. We have been seeing the collective agreement, they were never consulted on it and it is of no surprise to the United Protectors that Mr Duke would have been publicly humiliated by public officers, who are refusing to follow him along his perilous path,” he said-

“Every Easter the country suffers this problem – a big increase in demand for available seats. This year, however, we had some additional delays so we brought in the water taxi as a backup this time.” Sinanan said after the initial Easter weekend rush to get to Tobago, there were many empty seats on the vessels heading both ways.

The main issue, he said, was with the schedule. “I admit there were some challenges when it came to timing but, bar the delays, everyone will get where they are going and come back.” “We are doing the best we can with the vessels that we have. In the meantime, the new board intends to deal with that. In fact the board is working on it now and they are on top of the situation,” he said.

When Sunday Newsday visited the Port-of-Spain (PoS) Ferry Terminal on Wrightson Road yesterday the atmosphere was calm as passengers waited for the last two vessels for the day – the Galicia at 2 pm and the TT Spirit fast ferry at 4 pm. However, passenger Anson Webster said he had been waiting since 6.30 am for the 8.30 am sailing.

He said he was he was told the 8.30 am vessel would not sail until 11 am, so he went to the airport in the hopes of getting a confirmed ticket. Unfortunately, there were only standby tickets and by the time he returned to the terminal, he had missed the 11 am boat. He therefore bought a ticket for the Galicia’s 2 pm sailing. “It is a bit frustrating. I knew the boats were giving trouble but I didn’t think it would have been so bad today (Saturday),” he said.

Verma Lewis-Cockburn, manager, marketing and public relations of the Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Transportation Co, also noted that the water taxi, which usually runs from Portof- Spain to San Fernando, was recruited to assist the fast ferries, the TT Express and TT Spirit, by making one round trip on Friday, yesterday and today.

She said the water taxi was able to take up some of the 6.30 am passengers at the unscheduled time of 6 am and it was at full capacity.

However, she admitted that the 8.30 am sailing was delayed to 11 am, and the 4 pm sailing was also delayed.

She also advised that the 9.30 am sailing from PoS today was rescheduled to depart at 3 pm, and that passengers could be accommodated on the water taxi at 7 am.

“The sailings have been delayed and everything is running a bit late. Once a vessel comes in late they can’t just reach in and sail right out because of the international requirement for the crew’s rest. Everything runs eve

“Let me tell you something,” said Khan in an interview with Sunday Newsday, “that vaccine is the best vaccine in preventing cancer of the cervix in young ladies, if they ever are susceptible to it.” The Ministry of Health introduced a voluntary vaccination programme in 2013, its first round targeting 20,000 girls, ages 11 and 12, in primary schools. As HPV was found to cause 90 percent of cervical cancer worldwide, the intention of the programme was to decrease local cervical cancer rates which, according to the ministry’s website, was twice that of the worldwide average.

Since its introduction in 2013, more than 30,000 girls have been vaccinated and, according to Khan, none have shown any symptoms like 13-year-old Danielle Flavinney of New Grant, Princes Town.

“There is no proof of it, but yet it is given prominence above the millions of people who had it and had no side effects. So rather than giving prominence to the one person who say it is so, and have no proof, give prominence to the millions who have had the vaccine and had absolutely none of those complications,” Khan said.

“This is unheard of, and to attribute it to the vaccine is completely erroneous. It is going to cause fear-mongering.” This, Khan said, may cause young people to think twice about the vaccine, adding that, “if they are susceptible to cervical cancer you will be denying them the chance to prevent it.” Flavinney began losing feeling in, and control of her left hand and arm in January. San Fernando Teaching Hospital doctors could find no physical causes for her complications.

On two separate hospital visits, doctors diagnosed her with “conversion disorder”, a psychological phenomena where a psychological conflict or trauma manifests itself in physical ways, from paralysis to even blindness. Her condition worsened over the next three months until she finally lost feeling in her left torso, left leg, and the left side of her face.

Flavinney’s mother, Jamie, refused to accept the “conversion disorder” diagnosis. She turned to the internet for answers and found articles highlighting girls in the United States, Costa Rica and Japan around her daughter’s age who experienced similar symptoms. The parents of these girls asked the question, “does Gardasil cause Guillain- Barr? syndrome (GBS)?” and Jamie asked the same for her daughter.

Gardasil is the primary HPV vaccine.

GBS is a rare condition in which your immune system attacks your nerves, leading to muscle weakness and even paralysis. Causes are unknown, but most victims recover completely over time. Sometimes it lasts weeks, sometimes several years.

The United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) answered this question in a fact sheet on its website.

“The CDC’s Vaccine Safety Datalink conducted monitoring for GBS following Gardasil vaccination from August 2006 to February 2012. During this period just over 1.4 million doses of Gardasil were administered in the Vaccine Safety Datalink population. CDC did not identify any cases of GBS among females aged 9-26 years old following Gardasil vaccination.” Sunday Newsday contacted Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh yesterday on whether any such cases had occurred under his term. Deyalsingh shared Khan’s concerns about Flavinney’s story inciting panic, but declined to comment further. “The Chief Medical Officer will respond to you after he investigates the matter,” he said.

Gynaecological oncologist Dr Gordon Narayansingh, however, said he had never seen a case like Flavinney’s since Gardasil’s introduction locally.

Flavinney’s mother yesterday promised to take her daughter to see Professor Gerard Hutchinson, head of Clinical Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, who has offered to conduct a clinical assessment at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.

Speaking after the attack, General John Nicholson, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, said: “The enemy had created bunkers, tunnels and extensive minefields, and this weapon was used to reduce those obstacles so that we could continue our offensive in Nangarhar.” But local officials questioned the necessity for the strike, which killed an estimated 90 ISIS militants (the official estimate of the death toll has not been released).

This came days after the US fired 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a facility in Syria believed to play a role in the reported deployment of chemical weapons against civilians by the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

That action was supported by a range of countries including the UK, Germany, France, and Japan.

The Syrian despot last week replied by condemning the action and denying — a 100 percent fabrication he termed it — any chemical weapons had been used.

Former Nato Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis put it this way, “It sends a pretty important strategic message that the United States is unafraid to use force; will continue to be in the game in the Middle East; and let’s face it, part of the audience here is not just Russia, Iran and Syria, part of the audience is President Xi Jinping (China’s leader).” But the audience — for both actions — also arguably included North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The response? More shows of force.

Yesterday, North Korea paraded a display of reportedly new long-range and submarine-based missiles as part of what was ostensibly a commemoration of the country’s founding father Kim Il Sung. Kim Il Sung Square was flooded with soldiers and weapons amid concerns that the secretive state is possibly preparing its sixth nuclear test in a decade or a rocket launch of significance.

The use of proportionate force is justifiable in clear circumstances involving the violation of international laws, such as the use of chemical weapons. However, the line between action grounded in moral and legal legitimacy and force pure and simple is not always easy to demarcate.

The use of a bomb on ISIS militants is welcomed if it has been a measure that was targeted and that effectively weakened that network. However, all military interventions must be balanced with the risk of endangering innocent civilians. ISIS is notorious for its use of human shields — footage obtained by the BBC appears to show such militants grabbing a hold of mothers and children for this purpose.

There is also the need to consider the long-term repercussions of each use of force. Such attacks are not isolated events but, over time, set precedents and open the door to full-fledged warfare.

Pope Francis has long declared us to be amid World War III in relation to ISIS, and now it seems US President Donald Trump is not afraid to fly perilously close to that state when it comes to a range of international actors.

The heat is being felt by the Chinese and South Koreans who justifiably sense a war brewing between North Korea and the US.

If such a war happens there will be considerable risks given questions over the capacity of North Korea to deploy weapons. Will there be any winners? Can force be avoided? Rather than wait and see, we should muster all the diplomatic resources available to avoid a conflagration. Trump’s brashness and inexperience do not help.

His advisers must temper him.

And friendly countries must become intermediaries. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley must be well-prepared on these issues if or when the White House comes a-calling.

And with all the prayers and noble pledges going around this weekend, it will be helpful for this country if we resurrect our civility and nation- building purpose. In particular, as we have sung, “This our native land, we pledge our lives to thee.” On the contrary, look around, both civility and nation-building have suffered decay, decay that drowned the good that once showed signs of growing.

This is the post-colonial experience.

In fact, economic gains have been gradually misused and abused under pressure from narrowed self-interest and self-preservation.

At this Christian Easter, there is so much hurt and pain around, making you wonder, once again, if prayers would make things better. Even the US President felt moved last Wednesday to conclude: “The world is in a mess.” It would be no surprise today if a lot of people are left wondering if prayers really helps. It is really a test of faith when you see people praying in a church and getting killed by earthquake or flood.

Or when men, professing to be holy, slaughter innocents in God’s name. Closer around, it is also a test of faith when you see no difference between those who ostentatiously go to church – any kind – and those who don’t. Faith in church-going gets shaken. Congregations get diminished.

And this, when for example, you look at the “seven capital vices” written in the Catechism of the Catholic church. Vices that apparently have captured people of all ranks and religions.

These seven vices are “pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth.” Of course, as human beings we are far from being perfect but some of this seven we can more easily control than others. For example – sloth, a result of laziness, and envy, a result of discontentment.

Each of the seven vices has its opposite.

For example, pride’s opposite is humility, gluttony has temperance, sloth has diligence. Now it is always useful, whether at Eid, Divali, Christmas or Easter time, to revisit your holy book – whichever. Your faith and purpose in life may be resurrected.

Some might re-visit, but still with shaky faith, finding the writings too mysterious, mythical, even too contradictory for rational thinking.

Others, well, they believe life begins and ends right down here. Notwithstanding, these holy books – for example, the Quran, Bhagavad Gita, Bible – tell us some things about today’s world too.

Jesus Christ was a revolutionary thinker. And suffered dearly for it.

He opposed the high priests, the rich usurers and the lawyers too. Once, he told the people publicly: “Beware of the scribes which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues and the chief rooms at feasts.” Hypocrites, Jesus said. He saw rich men “casting their gifts into the treasury,” and at the same time, a “poor widow casting in two mites.” Jesus said: “Of truth, I say unto you that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.” (Luke 21: 2-5) Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy, he said. On several occasions, he was blistering against lawyers. After chastising the Pharisees, he said: “Woe unto you lawyers, for ye laid men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.” (Luke 12:46).

On a roll, he added: “Woe unto you lawyers for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: and them that were entering, ye hindered.” Pleading the cause of the poor and down-trodden, Jesus condemned the Pharisees and public officials for their vanity, hypocrisy and pomposity.

Lessons for today. I had Religious Knowledge at Cambridge Examinations.

Two favourites from Jesus are the parable of “sower and the seeds” which tells us about self-reliance and development: the other is: “There is nothing from without a man, that entereth into him, can defile him; but the things which come out of him those are they that defileth the man.” Such things, he said, are thefts, covetousness, d e c e i t , pride and murders.

All civic t r a n s – gressions in decay, c a l l i n g out for resurrection

In his Easter message, Rowley said the season reaffirms “that hardships do not last forever, but that through strength, perseverance and resolve, joy and redemption follow.” “Here in Trinidad and Tobago, Easter comes at a time when the poui trees are in full bloom and serve as a reminder of what a truly blessed time is Easter. However, even in this time of splendour, we know that our nation is facing difficult times. We continue to adjust to a new economic reality.

We battle against crime and other social ills, and Government must make the hard decisions that are necessary to help ensure that we emerge from these difficult times and continue on a path of growth and development.” Rowley said Easter teaches that “even in times of trouble, trials and tribulations we cannot give up.” “It reminds us that we must hold on to our values, our families and the love for our country as we chart our way forward to a better tomorrow just as Jesus Christ did when he faced crucifixion.” He observed that many people will go to beaches, fly kites with children, share meals with families and worship at churches.

“As you so do, I encourage you to be mindful of the sacrifice Christ made for us and ponder upon the reality that during these challenging times, we too may be called upon to make sacrifices for the greater good of our nation.” He also called on citizens to give thanks and “have faith in the future and remember that even in times of trouble, we are strengthened and renewed by love.” “With these things in mind, I wish all the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago a safe, happy and holy Easter. I hope we will all emerge with fresh resolve and renewed faith to each do our part to secure a brighter future for Trinidad and Tobago.”