From left: Hon David Thompson, prime minister of Barbados, with Speaker of the House Delroy Chuck, Winston Bayley, honorary consul to Barbados, and Education Minister Andrew Holness at a reception to welcome Thompson on his first visit to Jamaica last week. - Colin Hamilton/ Freelance Photographer

It was not an official visit. Newly elected Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson simply flew in for the University of the West Indies (UWI) grants committee meeting last Tuesday. But Winston Bayley, honorary consul of Barbados to Jamaica, lay out the welcome mat for Mr Thompson's first visit to Jamaica since succeeding former Prime Minister Owen Arthur after general election in that country in January.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding headed the list of guests who converged on the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel to greet Mr Thompson. Also present were Education Minister Andrew Holness; House Speaker Delroy Chuck, UWI Principal Gordon Shirley and Vice-Chancellor Nigel Harris. But relishing the visit most were the specially hand-picked final-year students who used every opportunity to touch, speak and be photographed with their 'homeboy'.

No formal speeches

An elated Prime Minister Bruce Golding (left) looks at a plaque bearing the name of Prime Minister David Thompson of Barbados (right) who was last Wednesday inducted into the Honour Roll of the University of the West Indies. Looking on are Vice-Chancellor of the UWI, Professor E. Nigel Harris (second right) and Professor Gordon Shirley (second left, partly hidden), pro vice-chancellor and principal. - JIS photo

It was not an evening for formal speeches so in his brief remarks, Mr Thompson thanked everyone for attending and said he hoped to do his countrymen and women proud of the confidence they had placed in him.

For his part, Prime Minister Golding said he and Mr Thompson were 'new kids on the block' and had a lot of notes to exchange. He added that it was a positive reflection on the Jamaican society that the Mona campus had produced so many leaders for the region and even more significant that these leaders have the capacity to move the region forward.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (right) and DJ Sizzla (left) engage in a serious discussion. A member of Sizzla's entourage looks on. - JIS photo

Tanya Sobers, president of the Barbados student association, has the attention of her honorary consul Winston Bayley (centre) and her prime minister, David Thompson. - Colin Hamilton/ Freelance Photographer

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (right) wastes no time in adding to the comedic atmosphere as he shares a joke with (from left) Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson, honorary consul to Barbados Winston Bayley, David Minott, a schoolmate of Mr Thompson and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Professor E. Nigel Harris. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer