The PPP will be holding its annual series of activities next month to celebrate the life and work of late President Dr Cheddi Jagan, particularly his contribution to educating and empowering youth, PPP Central Committee member Clement Rohee said yesterday.
Activities will be held across the country and by overseas chapters with a special focus on the sacrifices Dr Jagan made to ensure a better future for the nation, Rohee said at a press briefing held yesterday afternoon. The programme will be held under the theme ‘Cheddi Jagan: Man of the People.’
“The foundation of modern Guyana and our achievements as a people over the past 20 years of the PPP/C in Government is built upon the legacy of Dr Jagan,” Rohee said. Guyana has experienced a series of dramatic changes in all sectors and spheres from October 5, 1992 when Dr Jagan returned to the helm of leadership after 28 years of PNC rule, he added.
Dr Jagan will be remembered as a great inspiration to Guyanese youth as, both in and out of government; he worked steadfastly to create the best conditions for their involvement in the mainstream economic and political life of the nation. His vision to establish the University of Guyana has provided citizens, particularly young people, with an opportunity to further their education; positively impacting the nation’s human resource capacity, the minister said. It has also resulted in the establishment of a university campus at Tain, Berbice to serve persons in that region.
According to Rohee, Dr Jagan always recognised the importance of education as a vehicle to empower youth and devoted significant resources to provide opportunities for them.
“One of the most important messages of Dr Jagan is to constantly strive to overcome new and emerging challenges as indeed his lifetime was filled with numerous hurdles starting from his humble beginnings from the bowels of poverty and indentureship,” Rohee said.
He also noted that Jagan’s struggles to achieve “what was then an almost unattainable dream of a secondary education in Georgetown, his exposure to the Civil Rights movement in the USA, living in the ghettos and experiencing firsthand the racial segregation which was occurring around him no doubt moulded him into one of the greatest leaders of his era.”
“The legacy of Dr Jagan lives on,” he said, noting that the planned month of activities will also recognise the contributions of his wife, late former President Janet Jagan.
