Man of Excellence: Guyana’s latest recipient of the prestigious Anthony N. Sagba Award for Excellence, Sydney Allicock (right) stands with members of the Bina Hill Institute at a reception in his honour held at Herdmanston House last evening. Allicock was one of the three laureates for the Caribbean award this year. He was named the winner in the ‘Public and Civic Contributions’ category.

Allicock, 55, is from the North Rupununi, Region Nine, and is widely accepted as a pioneer of community-based tourism in Guyana. He led the Surama community in implementing a sustainable tourism project that has been copied by other Amerindian communities in Guyana and serves as the Executive Director of Surama Eco-Tourism, an initiative which employs 70 members of the Surama community. He said last evening that it is “unbelievable” to be selected for such an award. “I see this as very special. It is a win not only for myself but for Guyana and the entire Caribbean but moreso for the indigenous people,” he stated. Performing the functions of President, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds presented Allicock with a plaque in recognition of his achievement.