MACHEL, WODEMAYA AND HASELY

IN a land of declining educational standards, Machel “Mr. Fete” Montano has set a positive tone in skipping Carnival 2024 to focus on his studies.

The stunning move telegraphs a constructive message that classes must trump Carnival, studies must outdo soca, reading must take precedence over road march.

Hopefully, the significance would not be lost on a nation in which he is the premier entertainer, and would be especially acknowledged by school dropouts and others on the learning fringes.

Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and other stakeholders should consider making Montano a poster boy for adult education.

This is also relevant to the organisation involved in adult literacy.

Montano’s positive announcement coincides with the feel-good involvement of Wodemaya, a video blogger whose self-defined mission is to “change the negative narrative of Africa.”

Wodemaya (Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon) is a 33-year-old Ghanaian media influencer with some 1.5 million followers.

He has brought his captivating campaign to this part of the world.

He would surely win even more fans in Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean territories with the fresh pair of eyes and innocence he has placed on our environment.

The social media activist has been showcasing the beautiful scenery of the islands, reminding us of the attractiveness of our country and bringing new, international attention to us.

Wodemaya’s vivid and honest works and his charming personality provide an exposition that cannot be achieved by the tourism authorities.

His lavish pictures are a telling reminder of nature’s bountiful beauty in a country’s badly hurt by unchecked bloody crimes.

His works are a timely tonic to a besieged land.

In the midst of this is the revelation of the ongoing official slighting of Hasely Crawford, who is not only T&T’s first Olympic gold medallist but also a national resource and personality.

Crawford suffering ill-treatment at the national sporting venue that bears his name follows the tardiness by the authorities in honouring him after his historic victory in the 100 metres at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

At the airport welcome return for “Crawfie,” then-Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams famously said that “money is no problem,” basking on new-found petrodollars.

But it took two decades for the sporting hero to be deservedly honoured, which was done by the renaming of the stadium and various gifts during the administration of Basdeo Panday.

The snubbing of Crawford fits into T&T’s well-known character of a lack of appreciation for achievers, scant recall of history, and disregard for our pillars and growth and development.

This is the negative offshoot of a society with faltering educational standards, weak media, lack of historical documentation, and senseless prejudice.

The fact that Crawford should suffer such cold indifference says much about the tattered fabric of this young nation.

Apart from his historic athletic accomplishment, he has remained patriotic, serving his country and bearing a convivial, welcoming personality.

The insensitivity and indifference would not change until the national leadership begins to fashion a culture of appreciation, respect and polish.

Overall, the latest developments concerning the soca king, the acclaimed vlogger and the sprint champion offer fascinating insights into Trinidad and Tobago.