JIMMY CLIFF, the reggae superstar, yesterday joined the elite group of Jamaicans who have been awarded Jamaica's third highest national honour, The Order of Merit (O.M.)
Cliff, whose real name is James Chambers, starred in the 1970s Jamaican full-length feature film, The Harder They Come. He adds his O.M. to the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) (O.D.) he had received previously. He was honoured in the 2003 Independence Day Honours List for his outstanding contribution to the film and music industry and joins the legendary Bob Marley and Louise Bennett-Coverley, 'Miss Lou' as Jamaica's highest ranked cultural stars.
There are only two greater national honours, The Order of the Nation (O.N.), which are conferred on Governor-Generals and Prime Ministers, and The Order of National Hero.
CONTRIBUTION
According to the Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour, the appointment of Mr. Cliff as a member of the Order of Merit is based on "his outstanding contribution to Jamaica's film and music industry."
One hundred other Jamaicans were also acknowledged with either appointments to the Orders of the Societies of Honours or the Badge of Honour in this year's list.
The appointments, made by Sir Howard Cooke, Governor-General, on the advice of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, took effect yesterday, Independence Day, and will be formally conferred during the National Heroes' Day ceremony at Kings House on Monday, October 20.
The Order of Jamaica (O.J.) was conferred on four persons for outstanding work in their respective fields. These are: Cecil Baugh, O.D., the renowned potter, who was acknowledged for his contribution to the visual arts; Dr. Oswald Harding, C.D., Q.C., a former Senator, for service to the Legislature; Karl Hendrickson, C.D., the prominent businessman, for his work
in commerce; and Professor Errol Miller, C.D., chairman of the Electoral Advisory Commission, and director of the Centre of Excellence for Teacher Training, for his
outstanding contribution to education and public service.
