Professor Orlando H. Patterson, CD - This year Professor Orlando H. Patterson, CD, heads the list of National Awards recipients. He will receive the third highest National Award, the Order of Merit, for his highly distinguished international contribution to Academia, West Indian Literature, Sociology and the Epistemology of Social Culture

The Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD)

Mr. George Anthony Hylton - For over 30 years of exceptional Public Service in the fields of Politics, Governance and Diplomatic Affairs

Mr. Richard Howard Delano Forbes, Snr (Posthumously) - For exceptional contribution to Television and the Digital Industry of Jamaica as a pioneer in Multimedia Services including LED screen technology

Professor Rainford Jonathan Wilks - For exceptional service in the field of Medicine, specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Epidemiology and Tropical Medicine Research

The Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD)

Mr. Dennis Howard Frederick Bell - For outstanding service in the field of Sports

The Significance of Jamaica’s National Civil Honours and Awards

Order of National Hero is the most senior order and may be conferred upon any person who was born in Jamaica or is, or at the time of death was, a citizen of Jamaica and rendered to Jamaica Service of a most distinguished nature. This person is entitled to be styled “The Right Excellent”

Order of the Nation (ON) may be conferred upon any Governor-General of Jamaica and upon any person who has been appointed as Prime Minister, not being a person upon whom the Order of National Hero has been conferred. The Order is styled “The Most Honourable” and his/her spouse is also to be so styled.

Order of Excellence (OE) is ranked equally in the order of precedence with the Order of the Nation and may be conferred upon any foreign Head of State or foreign former Head of Government. The Order is styled “The Most Honourable”

Order of Merit (OM) - may be conferred upon any citizen of Jamaica or distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica (an honorary member) who has achieved eminent international distinction in the field of science, the arts, literature or any endeavour. The Order is not conferred upon more than two persons in any one year. The Order is styled “The Honourable”

Order of Jamaica (OJ) – may be conferred upon any Jamaican citizen of outstanding distinction or upon any distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica (honorary member). A member of the Order is styled “Honourable”

Order of Distinction Order may be conferred upon any citizen of Jamaica who renders outstanding and

important services to Jamaica and upon any distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica (an honorary member). There are two ranks associated with the Order of Distinction - Commander and Officer. Commander is the higher class and takes place and precedence immediately after the Order of Jamaica and uses the post-nominal letters (CD) Officer uses the post-nominal letters (OD). A member can be promoted from Officer to Commander.

The Badge of Honour may be awarded to civilian residents of Jamaica and to foreign nationals who are employed in Jamaica’s Diplomatic and Consular Missions overseas in the three categories: Gallantry, Meritorious Service and Long and Faithful Service.

Medal of Honour is awarded in two categories: (1) Gallantry - awarded to officers and other members of the uniformed services who have performed acts of gallantry or acts of heroism or have shown great courage in circumstances of extreme danger and (2) Meritorious Service - awarded to officers and other members of the uniformed services who have performed distinguished service or have displayed distinguished conduct or bravery.

Nomination for National Civil Honours and Awards

Get involved! You are invited to submit nominations for the possible selection of persons to be considered for the conferment of National Civil Honours and Awards, in accordance with the provisions of the National Honours and Awards Act and Regulations, on Independence Day, in respect of:

(i) Appointments to and promotions within the Orders of the Societies of Honour, i.e.

The Order of Merit (OM)
The Order of Jamaica (OJ)
The Order of Distinction:

in the rank of Commander (CD)
in the rank of Officer (OD)

(ii) Awards of the Badge of Honour

The Civil Honours and Awards are conferred by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister annually. They are published in the Jamaica Gazette and announced in the media on Independence Day (August 6). However, the conferment takes place on National Heroes Day (October).

Nominations Forms can be accessed at the JIS websitejis.gov.jm ( Civil Honours - Nomination Form and Guidelines), and are to be completed in accordance with the ”Notes and Guidelines for Nominations” and forwarded no later than March of the respective year to:

The Secretary-General
Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour
Office of the Prime Minister
1 Devon Road – Kingston 10
Email: chan-prot@opm.gov.jm

Source: jis.gov.jm

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