The Tribune

YOUR SAY

Zhivargo Laing

I LIVED in the time of Ingraham.

In 1985 or thereabouts, I asked my mother, “Who do you believe could become Prime Minister of The Bahamas following Sir Lynden Pindling?” Without hesitation, she replied: “Hubert Ingraham.”

I had not heard of the man before that and did not and could not know that one day I would work closely with him as that which my mother said he could be, Prime Minister of the Bahamas. I was 18 years old then.

In 1990, I would have an opportunity to get a first look at the political prowess of this man my mother said could be Prime Minister, as he was the lead player in the unfolding drama of the Marco City by-election in that year.

By that time, he had already succeeded Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield as Leader of the Free National Movement. He cut his political leadership teeth in the Marco City by-election, defeating the great Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling and his then entrenched and seemingly invincible PLP. So began the legend of Hubert Ingraham, a genuinely brilliant political mind.

From 1992 to 2012, no personality loomed larger than Hubert Ingraham on the political landscape of The Bahamas. Between 1990 and 1997, his was the rising star while that of Sir Lynden was setting. In our history, they loom large at the centre of the stage of political astuteness and outstanding leadership.

But to think of Ingraham merely in terms of political prowess is to miss the reality of the brilliant leadership skills he possessed. Hubert Ingraham possessed great vision, uncommon focus, dogged determination, impressive industry and work ethic and unassuming compassion. He has a sharp mind with photographic memory. Yes, he is demanding, watchful and jealous to guard his public integrity.

Diplomacy may not have been his hallmark at times, but it only suffered to get the job done and to pursue progress. He is a reformer, a doer, a results-minded person. His commitment to public service is 24/7 and in government it was a thing of beauty and wonder to behold. His timing in politics was often impeccable, as was his ability to make political points with just a word or a phrase.

In the true recorded history of our country, he will be credited with many achievements: freeing of the airwaves; introduction of elected local government; introduction of a school board system; implementation and modernisation of the infrastructure of The Bahamas; the granting of autonomy to the College of The Bahamas; the upgrade of the social safety-net of The Bahamas; and the restoration of the good name of The Bahamas in the global community, just to name a few.

More than anything else, however, he will be that leader The Bahamas needed to navigate its ship of state through some of the worse experiences in our nation’s history: the pre-1992 economic and social decay of The Bahamas; the effects of the terrorist attacks of 2001; and the Great Recession of 2008. In time, most, if not all, will come to see just how steady were his hands, how thoughtful his mind and how committed and courageous was his heart.

In this life, your detractors can be many, especially when you are a person on the move seeking to do great things and trying to make a difference. Your enemies can be ruthless in their characterisation of you. Ingraham was the target of the venom of many such detractors and enemies. I say target and not “victim” because being around him, he never seemed to let the venom get to him. I know he was not immune but the poison never overcame him.

In fact, Ingraham’s ability to ignore reacting negatively to the attacks of his detractors, both personal and otherwise was admirable to say the least. Exacting revenge never seemed to occur in his response to those who would damage his reputation or misrepresent his efforts. Ingraham is not a perfect man, none of us are but his seems a perfect love and dedication to public service and for this he shall long stand out as one of a kind.

I have no special dispensation to say so, but it is my opinion that blessed was this man who ascended from the humble shores of Abaco to the most powerful office in the land. Purposed to become one of the great leaders of our Caribbean region was this barefoot boy from Cooper’s Town raised by his grandmother. Destined was this man who walked with kings and commoners with an ease seldom seen on such strong and accomplished leaders.

When they ask me about the times in which I lived, I will proudly tell them I lived in a time of promise, I lived in a time of better, I lived in a time of trust, for I lived in the time of Ingraham.