Barbados Names International Pop Star Rihanna as a National Hero
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – International superstar and entrepreneur, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was on Tuesday named Barbados 11th National Hero as the Caribbean island celebrated its 55th anniversary of political independence from Britain and also attain republican status.
International superstar, Rihanna, addressing the ceremony where she was named a National Hero, The singer, whose hits include “Diamonds, Umbrella, What’s My Name and Don’t Stop the Music,” told the ceremony that she never envisage being given the award.Rhinna told the National Honours Ceremony at the National Heroes Square in the heart of the capital, that “it is a day I will never, ever forget”.
“Barbadians are proud people. We are probably the proudest people I know and no matter where I go in the world, I take that pride with me. No matter where we go the world is going to know we are Bajans to the bone,.” She said.
The 33-year-old singer, was discovered by American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the United States to record demo tapes.
She told the Barbadians that “I take you all with me wherever I go and I am so proud to be a Bajan.’
“This is the only place I have ever called home. I love Barbados, I love you guys and I pray that the youths continue to push Barbados forward.
“I have travelled the world and received several awards and recognitions but nothing compares to being recognized in the soil that you grew in. So I thank you so much for this,” she told the ceremony that was also attended by the other living National Hero, the former Barbados and West Indies cricket captain, Sir Garfield Sobers.
