Camille Robinson-Regis:

PLANNING AND Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis yesterday praised former Unit Trust Corporation executive manager Renrick Nickie as a visionary who helped the “small man” to have an equal share in the national wealth of Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking at Nickie’s funeral service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-of-Spain, Robinson-Regis described Nickie as an idealist and a giant in the local financial world.

The minister said through his initiatives at the UTC, Nickie helped in his own way “to democratise” the economy in a way that would benefit the “small man” and allow persons from all socio-economic backgrounds the ability to generate substantive financial savings.

She said Nickie will always be remembered as one of many visionaries who revolutionised the financial landscape of TT and the country “owes him a debt of gratitude.”

In delivering the homily, Rev Clive Abdulah told the large congregation that death was the only true democracy because it does not discriminate against anyone, visiting people who live in palaces and on pavements.

Abdulah said it was always difficult to deal with death and people needed to hold fast to their Christian faith during times of loss otherwise the “winds of despair and calamity would sweep them on to the clouds of confusion. He also advised the congregation never to use their faith as a weapon to dominate other people, wear their faith on their sleeves or use it as an excuse to lash out at God during times of loss.

In a letter to Nickie’s family, UTC executive director Michael Alexander said Nickie had touched the lives of many persons through his role in the financial world and devotion to charitable work.

In a statement of condolence to the Nickie family, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said he served with distinction as a director of the Tourism and Industrial Development Company from 2001 to 2005, working in the interest of the company and by extension the country.

Nickie, 60, died earlier this month after a brief illness. He made the news in December 2003 when he was fired by the UTC Board from his post at UTC for allegedly committing acts of “gross misconduct.” Nickie subsequently contested that matter in court and won.

Among those who turned out yesterday to pay their respects to Nickie were Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Junior Finance Minister Conrad Enill, Central Bank Governor Ewart Williams, and Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown.