Colleagues, Friends, Cohort 4, good afternoon.
When I look at you, I don’t just see uniforms. I see stories. I see strength. And most of all, I see possibilities.
Some of you have already come a long way farther than many will ever know. You’ve walked paths that weren’t always easy. You’ve had to make choices others didn’t have to make. You’ve faced setbacks that could’ve kept you down. But you stood back up. You chose to keep going.
That decision, that choice is what brought you here.
And I want to say this to you as clearly as I can: Whatever mountain you’re facing in life—you can overcome it. I know you can.
You are stronger than your circumstances.
You are greater than your doubts.
You are not defined by where you started—only by where you choose to go next.
You do have a choice. Never let anyone convince you otherwise.
In this life, we are all one decision away from a different path. And the choice you made to join the National Youth Guard? That was one of the best decisions you could have ever made.
It tells me something about you.
It tells me you care about your country.
It tells me you want more for your future.
It tells me you’re ready to rise.
And because of that and many other reasons, I believe in you.
Not just as a group, but as individuals.
I believe in your character. I believe in your will.
And I believe that The Bahamas will be better because of what you bring to the table.
When I look into your eyes—eyes glimmering with hope and ambition—I see the future of our nation.
That future is bold, it is bright, and it is full of promise.
The impact of this programme is real, and I see it not just in the smiles of our cadets, but in the encouraging results we have attained together.
Our National Youth Guards are gaining real-world experience through technical training across fields such as carpentry, construction, masonry, and electrical work.
They are putting their training to work in service of the nation, whether it be upgrading infrastructure at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys, or supporting the Airport Authority as Reserve Security Screeners.
In line with our wider efforts to promote swimming at the national level, we have also seen our graduates develop greater confidence in the water throughout their training.
Many have interviewed for and successfully secured positions as lifeguards and aquatic activity leaders through collaborations with the National Training Agency, Blue Lagoon, and cruise lines like RCL and MSC.
At this very moment, another 37 Youth Guards are gearing up to embark on long-term work opportunities at Coco and Ocean Cays.
And not only that, some forty graduates from this cohort have already passed the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Royal Bahamas Police Force examinations, and are presently undergoing recruitment.
The quality of training our cadets have received from the RBDF was so remarkable that many outpaced their peers, demonstrating exceptional water mobility.
For her support in this important effort, I salute Captain, Coral Harbor, Commander of Disaster Risk Management and National Youth Guard Coordinator, Sonia Miller, National Youth Guard Coordinator.
Through the National Youth Guard programme, we have trained over 250 first responders to bring relief to our people.
The 104 cadets in this room represent our largest cohort to date.
Cohort 4, you are no longer just graduates.
You are national stewards.
You are the next generation of responders, protectors, and problem-solvers.
And as you step into this next chapter, I want you to give yourself some grace.
There will come a moment, after this celebration, when you ask yourself: “What do I do next?”
It’s okay not to have all the answers right away.
Trust in God.
Just like how you find yourself here today—graduating from a programme you may not have even imagined a year ago—know that the same unseen path can lead to even greater things.
The doors will open.
The opportunities will come.
Just be ready.
And I want you to know this: I love you all.
Yes, I said it. I love you. Because you are mine—our nation’s children—and I carry the weight of your future in my heart. And long as I am Prime Minister, I will remove every obstacle out of your way.
You are the reason I fight each day to make this country better.
You are the reason I believe this country’s best days still lie ahead.
You made the right choice today. And I know you’ll keep making good ones.
Whether you go on to join the Defence Force or Police Force…
Whether you work in disaster recovery, tourism, or trades…
Whether you lead, serve, or innovate…
You will do well—because you’ve already shown the courage to begin.
Let no one tell you it’s too late.
Let no one tell you you’re not enough.
Let no one steal the fire in your belly or the hope in your heart.
The truth is, we are always one choice away from a different life.
Cohort 4, this was the first of many right choices you will make.
So hold your heads high. Stand tall.
And know that we’re standing with you—always.
Before I close, I want to thank the team behind the scenes who helped bring this programme to life. This began as a vision, a belief that young people deserve the chance to serve, grow, and lead. That vision has been turned into reality through the dedication of a committed team.
I want to extend special thanks to Allison Collie, my Chief of Staff and Head of the Delivery Unit, and Simone Bridgewater, who served as priority managers and played a central role in executing this initiative. Your steady hands helped shape this programme into something real and impactful.
To the entire Delivery Team, thank you.
Once again, thank you to Captain Sonia Miller and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for their close partnership in supporting the program.
My heartfelt gratitude also goes out to the many friends and family members of our graduates assembled here today.
And finally, to the graduates,
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your courage.
And thank you for reminding us what hope looks like in uniform.
God bless you all.