As I am preparing to return once again to the Seychelles here is an event which took place yesterday at State House Victoria, looking back at 10 years of President Michel at the helm of the country. Having been privileged to meet the President on several occasions in the past (and hoping to meet him again in the future) I wish him all the best for his present term of office and beyond as he continues to embrace both green and blue economic blue prints to propel the Seychelles firmly into the 21st century.
Exhibition marking 10th Year in office for Seychelles President Michel
President James Michel attended the opening of a photo exhibition commemorating his 10 years in office as president, which was officially opened by the Vice President, Mr. Danny Faure.
The President was accompanied by his daughter, Laeticia.
In his opening address, the Vice President expressed recognition and saluted President Michel for his hard work, dedication and leadership throughout these ten years, describing it as “a remarkable achievement by a remarkable man.”
Vice President Faure also spoke about the theme of this exhibition, “Judge me by my actions”, which is a statement President Michel made on the 14th April 2004 during his inaugural speech.
“Making such a bold statement, demands a strength of character, a spirit of great determination and a willingness for one’s decisions and actions to be questioned, to be weighed. Judge me through what I do is being courageous enough to lay oneself open to critics, but it is a statement that calls for transparency in one’s work and responsibility and accountability for the results,” said Vice President Faure.
He further said, “Judging has an aspect of appraising, of evaluating and pointing out the weaknesses so that shortcomings can be adjusted and gaps filled, all in the spirit of wanting the best for Seychellois and the Seychellois people. The statement also echoes the principle of democracy, asking to be questioned and being ready to listen, to respond and to deliver. This is what has happened during the past 10 years. The nation has been consulted, citizens have participated in decision making, and their views have been sought, listened to and taken into account.”
He also noted that this theme, should be a point of focus for everyone, an ongoing call to move forward and enhancing determination for a better future.
“Follow step by step this decade of incessant striving to consolidate our economic and social gains, of major efforts invested in cementing international relations, in advocating for environment conservation and protection, in championing the cause of small island developing states, in promoting the concept of the blue economy, and in strengthening our democracy always with the same clear vision of wanting the best for the Seychellois people,” he said.
During the ceremony, five children, all born on the 14th April 2004, shared their own experiences of growing up under the leadership of President Michel through a sketch.
The exhibition which, was mounted in the main hall of State House, showcased different photos in relation to the ten key messages President Michel emphasized during his inaugural speech in 2004, such as climate change, democracy, progress and prosperity among others.
Speaking to the local press after the ceremony, the Chief of Protocol in the Office of the President, Mr. Gervais Moumou explained how the exhibition is laid out and other venues for public viewing.
“Apart from State House, the exhibition will turn into a mobile exhibition, going to Anse Boileau and Bel Ombre, targeting people living in the South and North respectively. We have our key partners helping us, such as the Department of Community Development, in making sure that people in all districts come and appreciate the exhibition. We’re also targeting school children in view that it will be school holiday soon. The Ministry of Education has been of great help and they have informed all the schools so that they too can participate at other venues such as ICCS, Maritime Training Centre, Praslin and also La Digue,” Mr. Moumou explained.
The mobile exhibition will end on Wednesday 30th April 2014, on La Digue.The opening ceremony and viewing of the exhibition was attended by Sir James Mancham, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Patrick Herminie , Chief Justice Egonda Ntende, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Francis MacGregor, Ministers, Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Leopold Payet, Attorney General, Mr. Ronny Govinden, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Andre Pool, Leader of Government Business, Ms. Marie-Antoinette Rose, Leader of the Opposition, Mr. David Pierre, Members of the National Assembly and other distinguished guests.
You may find a copy of the address by the Vice President through this link: http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/speeches.php?news_id=2438
