58 Persons Naturalised as British Overseas Territories
Fifty-eight people were naturalised as British Overseas Territories Citizens at a ceremony held at Government House on Friday, 29 May 2026, receiving remarks from Acting Governor David D. Archer Jr., Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, and Registrar General Tashi O'Flaherty-Maduro (Guavaberry). Officials praised the contributions of the new citizens, urged them to embrace the responsibilities of BOTC status and highlighted the Territory's growing diversity (VINO; Guavaberry).
Fifty-eight people were naturalised as British Overseas Territories Citizens at a Naturalisation Ceremony held at Government House on Friday, 29 May 2026, a ceremony that recognised their contributions to the Virgin Islands and called on them to embrace renewed responsibilities to the Territory (Guavaberry).
Archer Jr. congratulated the newly naturalised citizens and acknowledged their longstanding contributions. And if you have any doubt if you were good enough, let me tell you, you're beyond good enough, because you're great. You're not just here by physical presence, you're here because of your contributions, your dedication to the Virgin Islands, and the impact you've made on the lives of others.
We are extremely grateful and honoured to provide this recognition for the work you've done to make the Virgin Islands better.” He reminded them that citizenship carries a renewed commitment to the Virgin Islands and encouraged them to protect, strengthen and serve the Territory with pride and dedication (Guavaberry).
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Wheatley welcomed the new citizens "into the Virgin Islands family," urging them to take ownership of their new status. Quoting Guavaberry, the Premier told the assembled that the arrivals enrich the Territory’s cultural diversity and urged residents to define the BVI by tolerance and shared values rather than by smallness or narrow connections.
He emphasised that naturalisation is "more than just receiving papers" and described the new citizens as Virgin Islanders of many backgrounds who should feel at home regardless of origin (Guavaberry). Tashi O'Flaherty-Maduro described the occasion as a celebration of belonging and shared responsibility.
She noted many of the new citizens already serve the Territory through work in healthcare, education, business, community development, charitable organisations and other sectors that strengthen the social and economic fabric of the Virgin Islands (Guavaberry; VINO). The 58 newly registered British Overseas Territories Citizens are: Audley Olanzo Bennett, Arlene Rose Marie Bobb, Urenna Nzinga Folayan Butler, Calisha Rachael Cayonne, Obi Fitz Patrick Chester, Ivet Rose Clarke, Omar Gaddafi Kwame Courtney, Natasha Ann Cush, Joseph Owusu Yeboah Daaku, Aiesha Elena Daniel, Audrey Denise Carol Griffith-Daniel, Samantha Alexis Daniels, Sylvia Jestina Debique, Jagnarine Deochand, Ikechukwu Samuel Emelandu, Rebecca Essumang, Banmatie Etwaru, Nehaul Etwaru, Alcyon Antoinette Gillings, Kempton Junior Halley, Sandie Nikacha Huggins, Rebecca Jane Redvers-Higgins, Chelcia Cheslyann Abigail Jackson, Vanessa Samanta Surujdeo-James, Sharon Blackett Jeremiah, Saad Kaddoura, Saif Kaddoura, Mahandradat Kaiso, Claudette Donnice Jessica King, Natalia Mandy Lawrence, Claudina Jno Lewis, Vernese Shikeba Guy Marquis, Marjorie Anita McCarthy, Melinda Equis McKie, Solomon Duhaney McKie, Jason Kelvin Seon Mingo, Juliana Diaz Molano, Brian Godfrey Moore, Vernella Pandora Moore, Alexander Nicholas, Craig Gareth Noblett, Tabitha L.
Desbonnes Parillon, Milenia Altagracia Lugo de Penn, David Samuel Primo, Sharon Jennifer Primo, Sheldon Michael Riviere, Leon Roger Rodgers, Monica Haidee Osoria Del Rosario, Amelia Maria Angela Samuel, Earill Eraemus Sergeant, Jacqueline Jennifer Sergeant, Christopher Andrew Simpsonl, Roger Gregory Sinclair, Wrinisck Rene De Leon Vanterpool, Wrisberg Rene De Leon Vanterpool, Kimana Gabline Wattley, Martin Terence Whitrod and Tamica Anitra Sharlene Williams (Guavaberry; VINO).
For BVI residents, the ceremony underscores the Territory's growing diversity and the value of those who choose to make the Virgin Islands home. Officials encouraged the newly naturalised to continue contributing across public services and community life as they assume the rights and responsibilities of BOTC status, a point highlighted in earlier coverage by VINO and confirmed in the Guavaberry report.
This update integrates the confirmation of the ceremony's date and venue and includes the full remarks as reported by Guavaberry while preserving the original reporting that emphasised the community and service roles of the new citizens (Guavaberry; VINO).
Primary source: VINO