Nicholas Morris has been named T&T’s first Youth Prime Minister after winning Guardian Media Ltd’s (GML) Youth Elect TT competition.
The announcement was made on Saturday night during the final showing of the Youth Elect TT series on CNC3.
In his victory speech, Morris dedicated his victory to both his parents.
“Especially my dad, who passed away a year ago on Father’s Day (2014). I promised myself at the beginning of this competition that I would deliver this victory for them and I am even more humble tonight that I have done so—thank you mom and dad,” Morris said.
The competition, which was launched three months ago, was hosted by GML and was used as a training ground to help develop young people in the area of politics and governance.
At the beginning of the competition in May, over 50 young people showed up for the auditions and 31 were chosen to compete. The candidates were drilled each week and faced a panel of judges where they were closely scrutinised, criticised and advised.
They were also mentored and nurtured by some of T&T’s distinguished men and women, including former MP Mickela Panday, veteran journalist Sunity Maharaj and communications specialist James Habib, who was also one of the main judges throughout the tense competition.
In the last round of the competition, it was down to Morris and Richard Oliver, who earned a new lease on life when he was brought back into competition by the judges via a wild card after being eliminated.
In the final debate-styled battle, Oliver presented his manifesto titled “Building Firm Foundations for You —the Pillars of Youth Empowerment.” His manifesto consisted of four Es: Youth and the Electorate, the Economy, Education and the Environment.
Oliver said he strongly believed that the young people deserve better representation so that their views and opinions could be heard.
In his address at the final showdown, Oliver also slammed the judicial system in T&T.
“More and more, our systems are failing to keep youth out of a life of crime and our security will continue to be threatened if youth delinquency and crimes are not addressed properly,” he said.
In his final speech in the competition, Morris said his plan of action was based on the premise of ensuring youth are equal partners in national development, as it was his firm view that youth are not the future but the present.
“The implementation and execution of our work agenda would be based on the theme Purpose, Plan and Place for all Youth in T&T—Giving Power and a Voice to the Youth,” Morris said.
He said if given that chance as Youth Prime Minister, he would ensure the development of a national Youth Parliament where youth representatives (set up from all registered youth groups) would lobby the President to include in his appointment of Independent Senators, one youth who is from the National Youth Council.
After being announced as the first Youth Prime Minister at the end of the debate, Morris was quick to recognise the youth.
“It is a victory for all the youth of T&T who want their voices to be heard and ideas to be known. This is a victory to ensure equal opportunity for all youth, as we ensure that the children of janitors and taxi drivers have the same opportunity as those of lawyers and doctors,” Morris said.
He also congratulated every Youth Elect TT candidate who participated in the first edition.
“I want to extend my hand, especially to my fellow finalist Richard Oliver, who made it a tight and competitive run to the finish line. I want to assure his voters and supporters that they should not be despondent, as he will be working side by side with me to ensure national youth development, as well as the other initial candidates.”
Oliver also vowed to still deliver on his vision and renewed his commitment towards the young people of T&T.
“This election has taught me that success is only permanent when it is achieved without destroying your principles,” he said.
“My integrity is important to me. It leads to trust and trust is the foundation of leadership. While my personality may open doors of opportunity, it is my integrity and my character that will keep them open.”