Neville Wisdom Remembered as a Warrior for Youth, Sports and Culture

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Evon Wisdom – Brother, Neville Wisdom
“He actually gave to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas until he died.”

Evon Wisdom, sharing with me moments of reflection just hours after his brother, Neville Wisdom, passed away.

Evon said his brother’s death comes almost a month after his 76th birthday.

Wisdom stepped into frontline politics after being elected as the Member of Parliament for Delaporte when the PLP won the 2002 General Election, serving until 2007.

He was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture by then-Prime Minister Perry Christie, where he focused heavily on youth programmes, athletics and national heritage.

During his tenure, he advocated for the then Harold Road to be renamed Tonique Williams-Darling Highway in honour of the Olympic athlete.

Evon Wisdom – Brother, Neville Wisdom
“In memoriam of what she did and what she accomplished as a young person.”

Prime Minister Philip Davis released a statement on Wisdom’s passing, pointing to the many years of service he gave to the Progressive Liberal Party and the community.

Davis said: “He believed deeply in the movement and in its responsibility to create opportunity, expand access, and improve the lives of Bahamians. As a Member of Parliament, he carried the concerns of his constituents into national service and remained a respected part of the PLP family.”

Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard also paid tribute, saying while he and Wisdom sat on opposing sides, he believes the former minister’s service deserves to be saluted and remembered.

And the PLP said Wisdom was a warrior for culture, youth and sports, who was a close confidant of former PLP leaders Sir Lynden Pindling and Perry Christie, and an adviser to Prime Minister Davis.

PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell, who was Wisdom’s Cabinet colleague, says he was devoted to the country.

Fred Mitchell – Chairman, Progressive Liberal Party
“He was passionate about, as Minister of Culture, Minister of Sport and Minister of Youth, and in each one of those, in the years that he served, the platform was raised. So Junkanoo became better, the youth of the country, they took their rightful place in the country, and in sports he was passionate because he had come as a coach from Government High School.”

Wisdom’s fellow political colleagues and friends Charlie Major Jr. and Vincent Peete expressed similar sentiments.

Both reflected on their decade-long friendships and his dedication to young people.

Charlie Major Jr. – Friend, Neville Wisdom
“We just had our last conversation on Tuesday, and it was always about country and the people.”

Vincent Peete – Former Colleague and Friend, Neville Wisdom
“He was a brother, and we shared basically everything. His wife, Benita, was a sister, and so I am deeply hurt and in mourning.”