BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OFFICERS of Operation Future (OF) continue their drive to provide positive influences for the nation’s youth with a visit to the Cayon Primary School this morning (Feb. 23).
As is the custom, the OF officers took charge of the school’s morning assembly and while the first prong took ordinary form, the second half featured a pep talk by a local popular personality and demonstrations by members of the royal St. Christiopher and Nevis Police Force.
Popular WINNFM radio personality Andre ‘Magic Man’ Phipps spoke to the hundreds of students and endeavoured to impress upon them the importance becoming good, wholesome citizens of St. Christopher and Nevis.
Phipps entreated the pupils to refrain from stealing, using drugs, telling lies and to refrain from becoming involved in any gang-related activity. He told them that a stint at Her Majesty’s Prison would be the end result should they be engaged in any of these antisocial activities.
The unequivocal importance of a good education was also underscored by Phipps.
“If you want a good job you have to have qualifications, which mean you have to stay in school and get an education; no skipping school, no dropping out of school. Go right through to college (and) get yourself an education. You are our future. You are our future doctors, nurses, prime ministers, police officers, chief of police...so it’s very important to stay out of trouble.”
One of the highlights of the presentation was a demonstration by members of the Police Canine Unit.
Ian, a dog trained to search for firearms and explosives, and his trainer officer Arthurton demonstrated to teachers and pupils how he [Ian] seeks out and retrieves hidden firearms.
Another highlight of the visit was student Shakquana Thomas’ melodious delivery of Crystal Lewis’ ‘I Still Believe’. Phipps, impressed with Thomas’ talent, promised to make her a CD with a compilation of songs he would attach to a gift to be delivered to her.
Head and founder of Operation Future, Constable Lauston Percival told the students to “put what you heard into practice”.
Operation Future was officially launched on June 29, 2006. The initiative was the brainchild of Officer Percival who, along with a number of his colleagues, felt the need for steering the nation’s youth in a positive direction.
