标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The close-knit community of Gray’s Farm is reeling from a tragic late-night shooting that claimed the life of Nikisha Rose, a 42-year-old hairdresser known for her vibrant personality and community involvement. The incident occurred on Friday, January 23, at approximately 10:30 p.m. near the G&E Parking Lot in Michael’s Village.

According to police reports, Rose was traveling in a vehicle with a male companion when an unidentified assailant opened fire on their car. Both occupants sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to Sir Lester Bird Medical Center for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, Rose succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at 11:21 p.m. The male victim, also a Gray’s Farm resident, remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Rose’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the community where she was deeply embedded through both her hairstyling profession and her work with the Schools Meals Programme. Colleagues and friends remember her as perpetually energetic and encouraging, with an ever-present smile that brightened her surroundings. Many described her as the emotional backbone of her social circles, making her loss particularly devastating.

Local residents have expressed profound grief over the passing of what many called a “hardworking mother” and “valued community member.” The spontaneous outpouring of tributes across social media and community gatherings highlights the significant impact Rose had on those around her.

Law enforcement authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Police are actively seeking information from the public and have provided contact numbers for both the Criminal Investigations Department (462-3913) and Crimestoppers (800-TIPS). The Police Administration has formally extended condolences to Rose’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, St. John’s will host a luminous Glow Walk next Friday evening as prominent sports broadcaster Joseph “Jojo” Apparicio converts his birthday celebration into a charitable initiative. The event, scheduled for January 31st, aims to generate crucial financial support for former Observer Radio host Paul Quinn, who experienced a devastating stroke in November 2024.

Participants will assemble at 6:00 PM at the Yasco Sports Complex, embarking on a illuminated procession through the capital city adorned with glow sticks and reflective attire. Apparicio, the esteemed host of Observer Radio’s ‘Good Morning Jojo Sports Show,’ made the conscious decision to dedicate his annual birthday philanthropy to Quinn following his colleague’s sudden health crisis.

Medical circumstances have presented significant challenges for the Quinn family. According to Sheriann Quinn, the patient’s wife, medical professionals initially provided a grim prognosis of mere days remaining for her husband. However, against all odds, Quinn has demonstrated remarkable resilience in his recovery journey. He has achieved liberation from oxygen support, regained mobility in all extremities, and maintained full cognitive awareness. A current tracheostomy procedure temporarily restricts his vocal capabilities, but hasn’t diminished his engagement with familiar radio programming each morning.

The community’s emotional and spiritual support has played an instrumental role in this recovery process, acknowledged Mrs. Quinn, who expressed profound gratitude for continued public prayers and encouragement.

Apparicio emphasized the substantial financial burdens associated with long-term medical care, noting how such expenses create overwhelming pressure for families navigating health crises. All generated proceeds from the Glow Walk will be directly allocated to Quinn’s medical treatment and rehabilitation requirements. Contributions can be offered during the event or coordinated beforehand, with the walking commencement set for 6:00 PM at the designated sports complex.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has marked the 2026 International Day of Education by launching a comprehensive initiative to position youth as central architects of educational transformation. Under the theme ‘The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education,’ the regional body is implementing groundbreaking strategies to institutionalize youth participation in shaping future learning ecosystems.

The Commission’s Education Development Management Unit (EDMU) is spearheading multiple digital innovation projects designed to modernize education across member states. These include the development of the OECS Regional Education Sector Strategy (2027–2037) and the creation of a sophisticated Digital Learning Ecosystem featuring harmonized primary curricula. A particularly significant advancement is the upcoming Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP) platform, which will incorporate Knowledge Technology Information systems, a Virtual Campus, and advanced Education Management Information Systems aligned with international data standards.

In a historic governance shift, the OECS Council of Ministers: Education and the Council of Youth and Sports have formally integrated youth representatives into high-level education policy meetings. This structural change is reinforced by the established Youth Advisory Network (YAN), which provides a permanent channel for young leaders to influence regional decision-making processes.

The cornerstone of this youth engagement strategy is the ongoing OECS Student Census, which has already captured input from over 50,000 students across kindergarten to secondary levels. This anonymous survey gathers critical data on learning experiences, digital access, wellbeing, and educational challenges, directly informing policy development.

Dr. Didacus Jules, OECS Director General, emphasized that ‘Young people are not only the future of the OECS, they are also the architects of that future.’ Mrs. Sisera Simon, Head of Human and Social Division, further reinforced this vision by calling for continued youth participation in shaping ‘inclusive, relevant, and future-ready education systems’ that address contemporary social, economic, and technological realities.

The Commission concluded its International Day of Education observations by acknowledging the collaborative efforts of students, parents, educators, youth leaders, and Ministries of Education in advancing this transformative educational agenda.

In a significant community-focused endeavor, road maintenance personnel throughout the constituency have been equipped with enhanced protective gear through a safety initiative spearheaded by ABLP primary candidate Randy Baltimore. The comprehensive donation package included specialized safety glasses, durable work gloves, and high-visibility reflective vests specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by infrastructure maintenance crews.

Mr. Baltimore emphasized that this proactive measure seeks to acknowledge the critical contributions of road workers while simultaneously addressing practical safety concerns. “Supporting those who maintain our transportation infrastructure represents a fundamental commitment to both workplace safety and community respect,” he stated. “This initiative demonstrates our dedication to ensuring frontline workers have adequate protection while performing their essential daily duties.”

The occupational hazards confronting road crew workers are particularly severe, encompassing close proximity to vehicular traffic, operation of heavy machinery, and exposure to extreme weather conditions. Such environmental factors make appropriate personal protective equipment not merely beneficial but absolutely essential for preventing workplace accidents and injuries.

This safety-oriented program forms part of broader community engagement strategies being implemented during the ABLP primary campaign period, reflecting a policy approach that prioritizes tangible support for vital public service workers. The equipment distribution has been met with positive reception from crew members, who report both improved sense of security and elevated morale following the implementation of these enhanced safety measures.

On the occasion of International Day of Education, Antigua and Barbuda’s Hon. Kelvin “Shugy” Simon delivered a powerful testament to education’s life-changing potential. The government minister and former educator leveraged his personal narrative to advocate for enhanced educational equity throughout the Caribbean nation.

Representing St Mary’s South constituency, Minister Simon recounted his academic journey as a catalytic force that “opened doors he never imagined possible.” In his official statement commemorating the January 24 observance, Simon credited education with instilling perseverance and providing essential tools for effective community and national service.

The annual UN-designated observance highlights education’s critical role in advancing global peace, development, and equality. Simon positioned students, educators, and communities as joint architects of the nation’s future, asserting that collective commitment shapes national trajectory.

“Every child, every student and every teacher possesses the power to mold our nation’s future,” Simon declared, calling for reinforced dedication to knowledge acquisition, equal opportunity, and educational quality.

The minister’s message resonates with the current administration’s consistent positioning of education as a national priority. Government initiatives continue targeting systemic improvements in educational access, quality, and outcomes across all levels.

Simon’s advocacy aligns perfectly with this year’s International Day of Education theme, which emphasizes education as both a public benefit and shared responsibility crucial to sustainable national development.

Antigua’s community was shaken by a deadly shooting incident in Michael’s Village on Friday night that claimed the life of 42-year-old Nikisha Rose from Gray’s Farm. The tragic event unfolded approximately at 10:30 p.m. on January 23 near the G&E Parking Lot, where unknown assailants opened fire on a vehicle carrying Rose and a male companion.

According to police reports, both victims sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and were promptly transported to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for emergency treatment. Medical personnel pronounced Rose deceased at 11:21 p.m. that evening. Her male companion, who also resides in Gray’s Farm, received medical attention and remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Law enforcement authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Police officials have expressed their deepest sympathies to Rose’s family and loved ones while appealing to the public for assistance in their investigation. Investigators are particularly interested in any information that might lead to identifying the perpetrators responsible for this violent act.

The Criminal Investigations Department has established dedicated communication channels, encouraging witnesses or anyone with relevant information to contact them directly at 462-3913 or through the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline at 800-TIPS (8477). This incident has raised concerns about community safety and prompted discussions about violence prevention measures in the area.