Philipsburg:--- CEO of NAGICO Insurances Imran Macsood Amjad presented a cheque for $15,000 to the president and treasurer of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation for the sponsorship of the King of Kings Calypso night.Amjad told members of the media that despite the economic challenges facing businesses he could not deny the SCDF when they approached him for sponsorship for the King of Kings Calypso Night.
The CEO said that NAGICO is a corporate citizen on St. Maarten, and they continuously look forward to supporting the community with social issues that affects the country. He said the company's philosophy is to contribute to society since they all live and work here. NAGICO he said sponsors many programs and community related projects especially those related to education and sports, however, the contribution to SCDF is rather significant.
Amjad said NAGICO has a very extensive budget that is met with a lot of resistance from the shareholders and directors but very often these people understand the company's goals and mission which is to contribute to society.
NAGICO, he said has been supporting carnival for years, especially when it comes to the children's parade, and individual costumes.
He said in the past NAGICO supported the Calypso King of King Shows which was sponsored by the Sky is Limit Foundation. He said this year he was informed that the major sponsor for the event has pulled out. Amjad said without the show, carnival would not be the same as every calypsonian in the world looks forward to this special night to showcase their talent.
President of the SCDF Stuart Johnson expressed gratitude for the sponsorship, he said the SCDF is elated to have received such generous donation from NAGICO. Johnson also commended the foundation's treasurer for negotiating the sponsorship.
Erno Labega, treasurer of SCDF said that the foundation has been having some financial difficulties over the past years, all of which they are working to straighten out. He said only this year the calypsonians who won last year and the year before that were able to collect their prizes. However, this year the winners will receive their cheques on the night they win. Labega said with the donation they received from NAGICO those payments will be possible because now they have the funds in hand.
