TT needs gift of courage, says BpTT boss

“When we give the gift of courage this Christmas, we must ensure that our acts of courage are underpinned by truth derived from preparation.

For example, we need to spend less time on Facebook and more time reading authoritative books,” Christie said.

He made the recommendations while delivering the feature address at the annual Christmas banquet and awards ceremony held on Saturday evening at Signature Hall in Longdenville, Chaguanas. The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC) hosted the event.

Christie charged that zeal without knowledge can be destructive.

He insisted that all must ensure that “our courage is not misplaced”. He explained that the root of the word ‘courage’ is ‘cor’, the Latin word for heart.

He added: “We need more heart than belly in dispensing courage. This Christmas, let us surprise as many people as we can with love.” Addressing the gathering on the topic ‘The Christmas Gift’, Christie acknowledged that there are many challenges that require courage among them change, complexity and crime.

“Change, complexity and crime alone have many deeply concerned. They are looking for answers.

They are looking for a meaningful gift.

They are looking for the kind of courageous leadership that can truly say: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for God is with me,’” Christie said.

Christie reiterated that people should give the gift of courage and dispense it with preparation, love, and with reliance on a God who is bigger than any ‘boogie man’.

Among those in attendance at the ceremony were: Trade and Industry Minister, Paula Gopee-Scoon; Chaguanas Mayor, Gopaul Boodhan; CCIC’s outgoing president, Richie Sookhai; and chairman and chief executive officer of the ANSA McAL group, Dr.Anthony Norman Sabga.

Christie noted that sometimes, even innovations add to the issue of complexity.

He charged that in the space of less than a decade, the entire oil and gas industry has been turned on its head because of factors such as shale oil and gas and global warning.

“How do we continue to maximize returns from gas in Trinidad and Tobago when the country which was our largest importer of gas less than a decade ago, the United States, is now a major exporter of the gas? How do we navigate the monetisation of cross-border and across the border gas when our neighbour Venezuela has significant political and economic challenges?” Christie questioned.

Confronting complexity, especially when it comes to leaders, will require courage, he noted.

On the issue of crime, Christie noted that no one is immune and what is frightening is the “increased callousness of humanity”.

In terms of change, he said there are seismic shifts in the way things operate and they are occurring at a pace not seen before.

Christie shared the biblical story of David and Goliath and emphasised the importance of relying on God in all things. “Relying on God ensures that we are courageous for just causes.

Reliance on God promotes hope because with God right will ultimately prevail.

Reliance on God promotes humility lest the courageous become conceited,” Christie told the gathering.

Christie added: “During this Christmas season that should bring added meaning to the name Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Probably the biggest surprise we can bring to many as we dispense courage this Christmas is to first seek God and then let Him guide us.” Some of the awardees at Saturday’s ceremony included: CEO Sabga; Mayor Boodhan; Anil V Maraj of Bankers Insurance; Trevor Joseph of T&Z, Barry Jankie of Cell Mates; Glen Ramdhanie of Novo Group; and Dipchan Hosein of Passage to Asia.