Obie Wilchcombe | |
---|---|
Member of the Parliament of the Bahamas for West Grand Bahama and Bimini | |
In office 2002 –25 September 2023 | |
Succeeded by | Kingsley Smith |
Personal details | |
Born | 1959 |
Died | 25 September 2023 (aged 64) |
Political party | Progressive Liberal Party |
Education | Queen's College,Nassau |
Obediah (Obie) Hercules Wilchcombe (14 November 1958 - 25 September 2023) was a Bahamian journalist,politician,and Cabinet Minister.
Wilchcombe was born in Grand Bahama on 14 November 1958, [1] [2] the son of Jackson and Mary (née Arthur) Wilchcombe. [3] He attended Queen's College high school in Nassau,Bahamas.
Wilchcombe began his career in 1975 when he joined the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas as a journalist. [1]
He became a nationally-known journalist,rising through the ranks to hold senior positions,serving as Deputy Director of News,News Director,and from 1990 as Assistant General Manager. [1] He worked for the network for 25 years. [1]
At one point,he was jailed for contempt when he refused to reveal a source to the Court. [1]
Wilchcombe was appointed to the Senate of the Bahamas in 1994. [4] In 1995,he became Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). [4]
In 2002,Wilchcombe was first elected to office as the Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini. [5] He served as Minister of Tourism in two Christie governments. [6] During his ministry,the country saw a record rise in tourists and tourist dollars and four new airline partnerships. [4]
In 2004,he survived Hurricane Frances reportedly saved many people. [7] In 2017,Wilchcombe lost his seat but he was re-elected in 2021. [1] He served as the Minister of Social Services,Information and Broadcasting from 2021 until his death in 2023. [1] [8]
Wilchcombe was a close friend of John Travolta and Kelly Preston,and was accused of extortion following their son's death in the Bahamas in 2009. [9]
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022,Wilchcombe expressed his desire for the nation to reject the British monarchy. [10]
Wilchcombe died on 25 September 2023 in Grand Bahama. [1] He was 64. [1] He became only the third Minister to die in office in the Bahamas in the 50 years since Independence. [11] A by-election was held for his vacated seat,which was won by successor,Kingsley Smith. [12] [13]