Lighting up Bim: Three decades of partnership, pride

Every November as darkness falls, parish by parish, Barbados comes alive in a blaze of ultramarine and gold. The radiant tradition — now in its 30th year — continues to shine brightly as the government toasted its partnership with Sagicor Life Inc.

 

The insurance giant has donated $30 000 to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment to support this year’s Independence Lighting Ceremony, marking three decades of partnership.

 

Speaking at the official handover, Minister Charles Griffith described the collaboration as a symbol of national pride and continuity.

 

“This is really a special day for us as a ministry and as government because 29 years ago, Sagicor Life Inc. started the process of working in partnership with government to ensure we had lights across the island to celebrate the start of Independence month,” he said.

 

All 11 parishes will once again benefit from the initiative: “Turning on the lights should provide another opportunity for us as citizens to engage, to embrace our young people and to celebrate them. Government will continue to be grateful to corporate Barbados for being involved,” he said, thanking the company for its long-standing commitment.

 

Vice President of Customer Experience at Sagicor, Tracey Knight-Lloyd, said the company is honoured to have stood shoulder to shoulder with the nation for three decades. “Each year, as the first lights flicker on, Barbados begins to glow not just with colour and beauty, but with pride, unity and love of country,” she said.

 

Knight-Lloyd described the 30-year milestone as a reflection of Sagicor’s philosophy. “When our communities shine, our nation shines. That’s not just a slogan — it’s part of our core values.”

 

She added that this year’s theme, Celebrating Our Communities: Re-engaging, Reigniting and Reimagining, challenges all Barbadians “to reconnect and reignite that Bajan pride,” reminding everyone that “the real light of Barbados isn’t powered by electricity — it’s powered by people.”

(LE)