Male role models in the limelight |20 November 2014

• Justin Freminot wins Outstanding Male Role Model Award 2014

Justin Freminot, a communicable disease control officer of the Public Health Authority of the Ministry of Health, has won the Outstanding Male Role Model Award 2014.

The first ever National Men’s Award ceremony took place yesterday at the University of Seychelles’ auditorium to commemorate International Men’s Day.
Mr Freminot, a Beau Vallon resident, beat five other finalists to win the award presented to him by Designated Minister Vincent Meriton.

Other finalists were Lt Col. Michael Rosette, 50, who is the deputy Chief of Staff of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces. Mr Rosette lives at Au Cap and is married;  Frederick Barrat, is also married and is the district administrator of Cascade. He comes from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports; Michel Ange Willis Rabat, married, comes from Anse Petite Cour of  Praslin and is a storekeeper at Domaine de la Reserve; Dary Maringo is a single father of Le Niole in the Beau Vallon district and is a Rack Pusher Dumper at the Indian Ocean Tuna Limited and Daniel Augustin, who is in cohabitation, lives at Roch Lane in the Bel Air district and is head gardener at the Seychelles Tourism Academy.

Daniel also won the second overall best performer while Frederick Barrat won first overall best. Mr Barrat received his shield from the British high commissioner Lindsay Skoll while Mr Augustin got his from the chairman of the National Family Council of Seychelles (NFCS) Robert Moumou.
The National Men’s Award was organised by NFCS while the British high commission sponsored the event.

The other awardees from various organisations were rewarded with a t shirt, certificate and a shield.
In his speech for the occasion Minister Meriton noted that the International Men’s Award started fifteen years ago in Trinidad and Tobago and that it is the third year that Seychelles is commemorating this occasion.

“In Seychelles we have become accustomed to marking Women’s Day, Children’s Day, the Day for the Elderly, the Day for the Disabled,” said Minister Meriton, adding that celebrating men’s day will be seen as something unusual as it is generally thought that men are tough, strong, independent and active and that it is not men who need special attention.

“Alas no, unfortunately. We have to put aside the old stereotypes about masculinity. How many of us today still struggle in silence, struggling with the challenges that we face often alone and at times seeking solace in alcohol and drugs,” noted the minister.

“The reality is that men too have issues. Men are not and have never been perfect. It is time we address the situation because the alarm bells are ringing loud and clear all around us. The ever increasing male population in the prison, the high number men and boys receiving treatment at the Wellness Centre; the under performance of our boys in schools are just three examples of the vulnerability of the challenges facing our men in modern society,” said the minister.

He said this is the raison d’être for the men’s day and why we need to celebrate here in the Seychelles. He urged all to join forces to educate our boys and our men to be better, to be more, to be counted, to be there and where it matters most.

He thanked the NFCS for taking the initiative to organise the National Men’s Award.
As for Mrs Skoll she expressed her delight to be associated with the very first National Men’s Award held in Seychelles.

She commended the men’s hard work, dedication and their contributions which are sometimes overlooked.

“All men need to get involved and all men have the opportunity to make a difference,” said Mrs Skoll.

Mr Moumou urged all to appreciate the role of men and boys in the different spheres in our lives. He also encouraged all men to start becoming the change we want today.

While introducing the award to the audience, Kisna Louise, member of NFCS, explained the functions of the National Family Council which was initiated on Praslin. As the situation and standard were not good with men lagging behind, the council embarked on a mission to bring changes and awareness to all concerned but added that nevertheless there are lots of good men in Seychelles.

So a special award for initiating the project was given to Denis Antat of Grand Anse Praslin Family Council.

The nominee from the Seychelles NATION newspaper of the National Information Services Agency was Photographer/Journalist Patrick Joubert and he received his award from the agency’s  deputy chief executive, Gerard Govinden.