The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The Hon Algernon SPB Allen has been awarded the Order of the Bahamas as a companion by the Governor General, the Hon Cornelius A Smith. He was among a number of other distinguished Bahamians who were given various other awards in this year’s National Honours Awards. While I congratulate him and his family, I am somewhat disappointed that Algernon (as I am privileged to know him) was not knighted by Her Majesty the Queen for his stellar services for and on behalf of a grateful Bahamian nation.

There is no other Bahamian more deserving of this honour, however, than the Hon Algernon Saint Patrick Benedict Allen. He has come by the grace of God a mighty long way. He was raised through Father Callahan Corner just South of Wulff Road. His parents were Harry and Jestina Allen both of them were hard working business entrepreneurs, but they found the time to successfully rear several children inclusive of noted former banker Pauline Allen and ‘Butch’ Allen a former police office who gave exemplary service to the nation as a distinguished member of The Royal Bahamas Police Force. There were other children of the Allens, but these three were my life long friends and neighbours.

“Bulgie” , a nick name for Algernon, attended the “real” Government High School on Poinciana Drive where the University of The Bahamas is now located. He was one of my prefects. There were several teenagers at that time who were known and respected as the best dresser. I, of course, was included. Our shirts and pants were always starched and pressed to the nines. Bulgie and Maurice Glinton, QC, were stand outs. In fact they would come to school with their trousers on hangers. Oftentimes they would have to stand on chairs to literally get into their heavily starched pants!

Algernon, like so many of us, was a standout student and debate master. He was destined for the legal profession. He was a few years ahead of me but always treated me as a friend and was a mentor. I followed him into the legal profession where we eventually became ‘friendly’ rivals. Later on down the line “Bulgie” entered elective politics and was successful in being elected for the great constituency of Marathon. He was good at representing his constituents and was known as “‘the Marathon man”. He was first elected in 1987 and returned in 1992.

While in the House of Assembly Algernon served as Minister of Youth; Sports & Culture in the then Ingraham administration. He also served as Leader of Government Business and as Minister of Housing & Social Development with distinction. There came a time when he sought the leadership of the FNM, but Ingraham was able to repel that threat. Bulgie, however, continued to serve the nation in other capacities.

He and the Hon. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt (PLP-St Barnabas) served as co-chairs of Urban Renewal, a societal based initiative launched by former Prime Minister, the Hon Perry G Christie, the then long time and legendary member of Parliament for Centerville. Many inner city areas, especially here in the capital were transformed by the work which they and their assorted teams were able to wrought. Debris was removed. Scores of affordable homes were built and the burdens on thousands of Bahamians were lifted.

Bulgie has been married to Dame Anita Allen for eons it seems. I believe that way back in our days at GHS that they were an item. They have produced and successfully reared several children. There is a son, Algernon Jr, who is a lawyer and was recently sworn in as a Magistrate. There is a brilliant daughter, also a lawyer, who has made the financial industry her preferred career.

All in all, I am so happy and proud of the stellar privilege to have known and worked with Bulgie, intimately, when he served as Minister of Housing & Social Development. I was given on a platter, a consultancy contract in that ministry by the Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham (FNM-North Abaco). Bulgie made sure that I had a small staff and a private office. I am forever grateful to him.

His wife, Dame Anita, has also served the nation well: a dormer Crown Counsel at the Attorney General’s Office; a private practitioner; a stipendiary & circuit Magistrate; a Justice of the Supreme court; Chief Justice; a Justice of the Court of Appeal (later President) and as Chair of a committee tasked with issues involving citizenship and immigration issues and the list goes on ad infinitum.

Congratulations, Bulgie, and thanks from an eternally grateful nation. You have served The Bahamas well and you will always be fondly remembered as long as there is a Bahamas. You, truly are a man for all seasons. God’s speed and all the best going forward.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

July 14, 2021.