A man who was shot and killed on First Street, Coconut Grove, in New Providence, on Tuesday night was shot twice before, according to his grieving mother.

She identified him as Macenzi Cajuste, 21.

According to police, Cajuste was walking on First Street and Poinciana Avenue when he was approached by a male who shot him and fled the area in an unknown direction.

Police said an anonymous caller reported that shots were being discharged on First Street.

The responding officers discovered the victim with multiple gunshot wounds at the rear of a business.

Destine Cajuste said her son went outside around 9 p.m.

"10' o'clock, I was inside and I heard people [shooting]," she said yesterday at her home on First Street, just feet from where her son was killed.

"I didn't know who [it was]; I didn't come [outside]. When I checked, I didn't see Macenzi yet. I didn't know [it was Macenzi] until I saw the police coming."

Cajuste, 51, said her son was on bail and being electronically monitored for an armed robbery charge.

"He went to jail before," she said.

"Police said he [committed] an armed robbery. He don't have money; he don't have nothing. When you say armed robbery, I don't know.

"All the time he was going to jail, all the time he was going to the police station."

Cajuste said, "He already got shot before, so he has a bad leg. So it must be that he couldn't run. He got two shots before".

Despite the fact that he was attacked before, and his contact with police and the courts, Cajuste insisted that her son was a good person.

"He don't bother nobody. Since he was born until he died, nobody has told me that Macenzi bothered anybody," she said.

"I don't work with him. He sleeps here, but when he goes, I don't go with him. Nobody has ever told me Macenzi did something wrong."

Cajuste is yet another victim on bail for a serious offense who has been murdered.

His mother said he worked as a mechanic despite never studying the trade in school. She said he could also fix televisions and fans.

"My children are good; my last son is good," said Cajuste as she sat looking at photos of her children in an old album.

"When I walk with him he takes my hand and says, 'mummy, let's go so a car doesn't knock you down'. My son loves me. My son don't do people nothing. I can't say.

"I worked hard for my son, very hard. When Macenzi was at C.C. Sweeting, his teacher said he had a good mummy. He never went to school dirty. I do everything for my son, but now God love him before me. God take it. God gives life; God takes life. Thank you God. God knows everything."

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Dear Editor,

September 28 marks the International Day for Universal Access to Information, a day proclaimed by UNESCO to emphasize the importance of legal and practical frameworks for the public to access information.

This year, the conversation focuses on the role of artificial intelligence and e-governance in enhancing access to information and the necessity of ensuring the ethical use of these technologies.

However, here in The Bahamas, we are yet to fully enact key provisions of our own access to information legislation, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 2017, stalling progress before we even encounter the dilemmas of the digital age.

The FOIA, which the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) has staunchly advocated for, seeks to reinforce the fundamental principles of democracy: government accountability, transparency, and public participation in national decision-making processes.

It was designed to provide the public with access to government-held information, allowing the citizenry to hold their government accountable and make informed choices.

Despite being enacted in 2017, subsequent administrations have failed to bring into force crucial sections of the FOIA that cover the process for applying for and accessing information, thus hampering the public's fundamental right to information.

The inability to fully enact the FOIA is a significant bottleneck in our democratic process.

While the world is advancing discussions on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and transparency in e-governance, The Bahamas struggles to grant its citizens the basic right to access information about the workings of their government.

Informed citizens are the backbone of a thriving democracy; they can make enlightened decisions, whether at the polls or in daily life, thereby contributing to a healthier, more inclusive society.

We believe that collaborative efforts among the government, civil society, and the private sector can bring about a culture of transparency and open dialogue, essential elements for the progress and sustainability of our democracy.

To this end, ORG was proud to partner with the information commissioner, Retired Justice Keith Thompson, and the FOIA Unit in early 2022, to offer a Public Educational Town hall on FOIA.

In this virtual forum attended by hundreds, it was publicly revealed that as an initial phase of implementation, 10 government agencies will be able to receive and respond to requests for information from citizens.

This statement was reiterated during this year's budget debate, but it remains unclear whether sufficient funding and resources have been allocated for execution of this objective.

Universal Access to Information Day is not merely a symbol but a crucial reminder of the importance of citizens' right to information, a cornerstone for building transparent, accountable, and inclusive societies.

ORG continues to advocate for a functional, fair and robust FOIA and invites all stakeholders to join in advocating for the realization of a society where access to information is not a privilege, but a fundamental right enjoyed by all.

The Bahamian public has a critical role in achieving this goal.

We encourage citizens to "get informed" and "get involved", and learn about their rights to public information and how to access and use this tool to better their lives.

If the members of the public raise their voices and urge their elected representatives to fully enact and fund all provisions of the FOIA, much can be accomplished.

We hope this day serves as a catalyst for positive change, prompting a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and the right to information in The Bahamas.

In the pursuit of a stronger, more informed Bahamas, let's continue the conversation on access to information and push for the realization of our rights enshrined in the FOIA.

Let us step into the future with a commitment to ensuring that advancements in technology, like AI and e-governance, are used responsibly to enhance access to information and not to create new barriers.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter.

Sincerely,

— The Organization for
Responsible Governance

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The Prospuh app is allowing Bahamians to take advantage of newly released initial public offerings (IPO) on the US markets, the app's founder N'Nhyn O'Cof said yesterday, revealing that three exciting companies went public recently.

He said Instacart, Arm Holdings and Klaviyo were all available for Bahamians to invest in through the app, when they went public recently.

According to the

Associated Press (AP), Arm Holdings had the biggest IPO since 2021, ending the raise with a market value of $68 billion.

"Most consumers use at least one product that contains Arm's chips, though many people may not be familiar with the company itself," the AP said in an article.

"Its chip design is used in virtually all smartphones, the majority of tablets and digital TVs. More recently, Arm has expanded into artificial intelligence, smart devices, cloud computing, the Metaverse and autonomous driving."

The marketing automation firm Klaviyo got a valuation of $9.2 billion following its raise.

And Instacart, the grocery delivery app that might be the most familiar name of the three to new investors, saw its share price recently fall below IPO price.

O'Cof said Bahamians can research these companies for themselves and decide which, if any, might be a good investment for them.

He added that Bahamians can also take a closer look at companies like the ones recently listed on the stock market, and seek to understand how they can bring similar kinds of innovation to The Bahamas.

"There's something that we can look at from that aspect, and get involved early," said O'Cof.

"I always go back to a guy who started off Uber. He invested five grand when Uber was just an idea and he kept his shares. By the time Uber had IPO'd, that $5,000 investment turned into $25 million."

O'Cof's app allows the user to invest as little as $20 on US stock exchanges.

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National Youth Month proved to be the perfect opportunity for the Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) National Youth Ministry to organize an event that would allow the nation's youth and young adults to connect with impactful leaders and ask them anything.

COGOP's National Youth Ministry will host its inaugural "AMA: Ask Me Anything" event that will bring together people from different backgrounds and experiences to share life from their perspective.

"As our country recognizes National Youth Month [in October], this is a great opportunity for our nation's youth and young adults to connect with impactful leaders in a welcoming environment," said organizer Katherine Beneby II.

Conversations, she said, are expected to promote diversity, provide inspiration, and create opportunities.

Tapped to be present will be Minister Mericha Walker who will speak to religion and Bishop Nathaniel Beneby Jr, on business and economy.

Member of Parliament Leslia Brice will speak on politics and social impact; Keith Roye on technology and innovation; Farreno Ferguson will address the topic of multimedia; Ricardo Deveaux will address education; Brunay Clarke will speak on music; and Jamiah Nabbie will talk on sports.

This event's format will allow participants to engage with the eight people that have been tapped to converse and answer participant's questions, up close and personal.

They will converse and answer questions in groups of no more than 10 for up to 15 minutes. The feature will rotate in 15-minute intervals, allowing each person to sit at a table with each feature throughout the night.

National Youth Month serves to encourage, engage, and celebrate youth across The Bahamas.

The month is dedicated to the recognition of the work, talent, dedication, testament, and stories of young people. The goal is to honor, highlight, and uplift youth who have made bold efforts toward engagement in pursuits with youth and for youth, remained hopeful in the midst of change, and share a unified vision to surpass societal expectation and stereotypes.

National awards meted out include youth in religion, which is awarded to individuals who are actively engaged in youth work within their respective religious communities throughout The Bahamas and making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.

Other national awards include youth in leadership, youth in sports, youth in entrepreneurship, youth in agriculture, youth in the environment, youth in governance, youth in arts and culture, rising star award, youth in personal triumph, youth in community volunteerism, youth organization, and youth ally.

COGOP's National Youth Ministry's inaugural "AMA: Ask Me Anything" event which will be held during the month, will be held on October 13 beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at AOS, Victoria House 5th Terrace, Centreville, or Consumer Choice Auto Parts, Blue Hill Road.

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