The government’s announcement that it will rename the Paradise Island Bridge and the
National Centre for the Performing Arts after Academy Award winning actor Sir Sidney
Poitier is not sitting well many people and one group is now calling on the government to repeal its decision.

President of Bahamas In Prophecy (BIP) Pastor Micklyn Seymour said he is baffled by the fact that the government has decided to rename the landmarks as a part of the country’s 40th independence celebrations, as opposed to renaming them after other Bahamians “who have done more for the country.”

“Just think about it, you Google him and what comes up,” he said. “He is born in Miami; could you imagine that.

“That is wrong. What has he really done in comparison to these real national heroes?”

These real national heroes are the ones Pastor Seymour said should be honoured and have the bridge named after them.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced that the government is getting an eight month start on the country’s 40th birthday celebrations, which included the rededication and renaming of the bridge and theatre.

“There’s no way that we should begin to observe the national heroes by observing or honouring
Sir Sidney Poitier,” he added.

“What about the Father of the Nation Sir Lynden, what about Sir Milo Butler, what about Sir
Cecil Wallace Whitfield, what about A R Brennen, what about Randol Fawkes, Dame Doris
Johnson, Etienne Dupuch, all of these people who made our country more profitable and what we enjoy today. I think it is ill-advised to start with Sir Sidney.”

Pastor Seymour said while Sir Sidney’s accomplishments are great, they just do not stand up to much of what many other great Bahamians have done.

The BIP president while he is happy the government is finally making some headway in honouring national heroes they should start with those men and women who are really national heroes.

The 40 year independence celebrations kick off on November 2.