Meaning of the Award Uhuru Presented to Bob Marley's Wife

President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Tuesday, presented Rita Marley, the widow of reggae legend Bob Marley, the Order of Jamaica, during the Jamaican 57th Independence Grand Gala held at the Jamaican National Stadium in Kingston.

The colourful ceremony was attended by thousands of enthusiastic Jamaicans who travelled from across the country to attend the historic event.

Uhuru, who was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, was the chief guest during the festivities.

The Order of Jamaica is the fifth of the six orders in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and it is considered the equivalent of a knighthood in the British honours system.

Membership in the Order can be conferred upon any Jamaican citizen of outstanding distinction. Honorary membership in the Order can be conferred upon any distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica.

Members and Honorary Members are entitled to wear the insignia of the Order as a decoration, be styled "The Honourable" and use the post-nominal letters "OJ" (for Members) or "OJ (Hon.)" (for Honorary Members).

The motto of the Order is "For a covenant of the people".

Other recipients of the honour are Usain Bolt (2009), Giuseppe (Pino) Maffessanti (2018), Howard Aris (2012), Professor Barbara Evelyn Bailey (2008), Enid Bennett (2012), Christopher Blackwell (2004) Bishop Herro Blair (2007) and Steve Bucknor (2007).

President Kenyatta and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, on Tuesday evening, launched celebrations to mark the International Decade of People of African Descent in Kingston Jamaica.



The launch of the celebrations to mark the United Nations designated period were unveiled as Jamaica observed its 57th independence anniversary.

The highlight of the celebration was a presentation of songs and dances from the Americas, which are what people of African descent remember of the traditions they came with to the Americas 400 years ago.