Oliver Fredrick Clarke

THE GLEANER, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | C3 G OVERNOR GENERAL Sir Patrick Allen has expressed regret at the recent passing of the Honourable Oliver Clarke, OJ, describing him as a patriot, astute businessman, dedicated philanthropist, outstanding media boss, and a gentle giant whose dignity, enthusiasm, and compassion were legendary. Sir Patrick said Mr Clarke was a visionary whose bold initiatives profoundly impacted and changed the media landscape in Jamaica. His passion, determination to achieve success, leadership, and love for Jamaica led to many lasting contributions to national development. He was a tireless, committed champion of the private sector, and wanted to make Jamaica a better place. Noting The Gleaner Company’s unwavering support for The Governor General’s Achievement Awards (GGAA), andMr Clarke’s role as a founding sponsor of the GGAA since its inception 30 years ago, Sir Patrick said over the past 10 years, the I Believe Initiative and The Governor General’s Programme for Excellence also benefited fromMr Clarke’s support and personal interest. Mr Clarke’s contri- bution to education, sports, the arts, and religion is testament to some of the many areas in which he worked humbly and quietly without fanfare. “Jamaica has lost a giant who inspired and touched the lives of many in a very meaningful way,” the governor general said. Sir Patrick added: “As we mourn and celebrate the life of this remarkable Jamaican, our greatest tribute will be to carry on the outstanding legacy of patriotism. Lady Allen and I extend our sincere condolences to his widow, Monica, and daughter, Alexandra.” SIR PATRICK ALLEN Governor General Committed hampion of nation building C O G PRIME MINISTER Andrew Holness has expressed deep sadness at news of the passing of one of modern Jamaica’s business and media giants, the Honourable Oliver F. Clarke OJ. Prime Minister Holness has extended condolences to Mr. Clarke’s family, friends and colleagues. In a statement, Prime Minister Holness noted: “News of the death of the Honourable Oliver F. Clarke has left me deeply saddened. I had known that he was very ill but knowing the fighter that he was, I was hopeful that this battle would not be his last. For decades Oliver straddled the Jamaican business community like a Colossus. From his time as an assistant general manager at the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) to his last major role as Chairman of the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, Oliver has been a major player in many aspects of the Jamaican and regional private sector. He may very well be lionized for the monumental role he played in moving The Gleaner Company into one of the most powerful newspapers in the English speaking Caribbean after he joined the company in 1976. Later he would play a leading role along with the late J. Lester Spaulding in overseeing its merger with the Radio Jamaica Limited (RJR) to create one of the largest media conglomerates in the region.” Prime Minister Holness also hailed Mr Clarke’s contribution to the wider development of Jamaica. “For those who knew him, Oliver was more than a media giant. His role in shaping the development of the nation as a leader of the local private sector can never be discounted. As President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica between 2002 and 2003, President of the Inter American Press Association, and a member of the board of directors for several major private sector entities, Oliver provided sound judgement and a calming presence.” In 1998, Oliver Clarke was awarded the Order of Jamaica. A year earlier, in 1997, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). Prime Minister Holness, in extending condolences to Mr Clarke’s widow Monica and daughter Alexandra, noted that Jamaica will be poorer for his passing. ANDREWHOLNESS Prime Minister A iant of our time PRESIDENT OF the People’s National Party (PNP) and leader of the parliamentary Opposition, Dr Peter Phillips, MP, said the death of media mogul and long-standing giant of industry, the Honourable Oliver Clarke, OJ, signals the end of an era in the historical development of the nation. He said Mr Clarke represented a true example of patriotism, as he facilitated and accommodated the many calls to national service. When Jamaica faced major challenges in its development, particularly over recent decades, Mr Clarke was never hesitant in responding to the call from different political administrations to serve at the highest levels in search of solutions. “Oliver Clarke was one of a kind. A successful businessman and leader of the private sector; he was also indisputably a selfless and courageous patriotic devotee to the public services in multiple spheres of national life for the past 40 years or more,” Dr Phillips said. Often controversial and gifted with a wry, sometimes sardonic, wit, he was nevertheless able to motivate others to achieve national goals. His analytical skills, business experience and accounting expertise were frequently called on to bring our nation through difficult times, as was the case during the advent of dollarisation in the 1980s and as head of various task forces, including the body that examined the emoluments of parliamentarians. “The causes to which he devoted himself were myriad, ranging from the defence of press freedom, police reform; advocate of good governance, integrity and anti- corruption reforms across successive administrations. He was committed to the quest for economic efficiency and public sector transformation that would establish Jamaica definitively as a modern, socially just, economically efficient and law-abiding state, exercising its sovereign independence in the global community,” Dr Phillips said. Mr Clarke served with distinction on many public and private-sector institutions; among them as chairman of the National Commercial Bank when the entity changed seamlessly from government ownership to private hands. He was a voice of reason and influence Clarke – A true visionary Selfless, courageous, ne-of-a-kind leader PLEASE SEE PHILLIPS, C4