Longstanding Guyanese businessman and entrepreneur, Yesu Persaud, was honoured by the University of Warwick of the United Kingdom last night, after it renamed one of their research centres after him.
The Demerara Bank Head Office on Camp Street was filled with dignitaries including United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregg Quinn, United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, former Prime Minister Sam Hinds and other special guests to honour the commitment and work of Persaud.
Giving the feature address at the event, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan said that the event for Persaud, a humble icon of the country, is not only for him personally, but for the entire Guyana, because of the prestige of the award.
Referencing the Indian indentured servants, Ramjattan said that they played a major role in the building of Guyana while bringing their contributions to the table.
“Dr. Yesu Persaud quite frankly is one exceptionally glowing example of a jewel,” Ramjattan said, while referencing Persaud’s humble upbringing and eventual rise to become one of Guyana’s icons.
Brief remarks were also made by Professor David Dabydeen, Associate Director, Development Office of the University of Warwick, Luke Taylor, Head of Humanities, University of Guyana, Al Creighton and Director of Demerara Bank Limited, Sheila George.
Persaud was hailed for his contributions to the country via the business sector, especially his contributions to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Demerara Bank Limited, the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and to the University itself.
Persaud was also recognized for his commitment towards the development of the country and his affinity for helping people.
In his speech, Persaud referenced hard work and persistence as the keys to his success and recalled his humble beginnings as the assistant to a rat catcher on the sugar estates.
The Centre for Caribbean Studies at the University will be renamed the Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies and will feature snippets of his biography on its walls.
