Nathalee Martinborough, veteran broadcast journalist, died on Thursday following a brave, hard fought battle with cancer.

She was 54.

Martinborough, who up to her death served as assistant general manager of news and radio at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB), ZNS Northern Service, was described as a "consummate professional".

Former BCB General Manager and former Deputy General Manager of the Northern Service Diana Wilson-Swann said Martinborough was not just a colleague, but a true friend.

Martinborough and Swann were colleagues for over 30 years.

"My heart is heavy. Nathalee was more like a sister to me, a part of my family," Wilson-Swann said.

"Her journey was one that she accepted and she fought until the end. She never gave up. She was a strong individual, strong journalist, who is and I feel will always be respected by people in this industry, especially those she ... rubbed shoulders with.

"Nathalee was one person you could have called and she knew and remembered everything. She stored everything in her mind; she didn't need a library or computer. You could ask her, 'Nathalee when was this?' and she would know.

"She could tell you who said what, where it was said and when it was said. Nathalee was the go-to person and I am sure some of the young reporters would say that. She helped steer them in the direction they should have gone in.

"She worked hard at ZNS, very hard right up until the end. I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family, her colleagues and to all of us in the industry."

Wilson-Swann said she is grateful to have had an opportunity to visit with Martinborough a few days prior to her passing.

"I am glad I took the time to go. I will miss our talks, our text messaging because at the end of every conversation we always ended with, 'I love you,' or 'I appreciate you'."

Martinborough's journey in media began February 1, 1989 when she joined the ZNS Northern Service.

ZNS Executive Chairman Picewell Forbes remembers Martinborough as an individual who was always lifting others up.

"No matter what she was going through, Nathalee always had an encouraging word for someone," Forbes said.

"I know she will be greatly missed by the management and staff at the Northern Service."

As word spread of Martinborough's passing, many of her former and present colleagues expressed their love and shared memories of their times together.

"A friendship of more than 30 years, she was always there for me as a loyal and trusted colleague, and friend at ZNS Northern Service," said former colleague Lisa Moxey.

"This is tough. I will miss your text messages every birthday now and when you would check up on me to see how I'm doing in Nassau. 'Nats,' you are simply irreplaceable. There will never be another Nathalee Martinborough.

"I will miss you. Love you forever. They don't make friends like you anymore."

Former Freeport News journalist Navardo Saunders said, "One of the best to ever do it. Nathalee could tell a story like none other. Always happy-go-lucky and a beautiful personality."

Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell also shared sentiments.

"I feel like I have lost a member of my own extended family," Mitchell said in a statement.

"We sat on opposite sides of the microphone as you journalists do, but we politicians could never succeed if the relationship was not symbiotic. We help one another.

"Whether in my days in government, my days in opposition or my days as an activist, she was a fixture and would always call up for a comment or an analysis and always helpful. I feel a deep loss."

Mitchell extended condolences to Martinborough's family and colleagues in Freeport at ZNS and throughout the network.

Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey also issued a statement.

"Nathalee had a stellar 34-year career in broadcasting, characterized by her unwavering dedication and a commitment to her craft that set a remarkable standard," Moxey said.

"She was not just a skilled professional but also a team leader with a compassionate heart and a nurturing spirit.

"She guided the development of numerous young Bahamian journalists. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on journalism in The Bahamas. Grand Bahama Island has lost a true champion in Nathalee Martinborough. Her absence will be deeply felt."

Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard recalled Martinborough as being an exceptional journalist, a dedicated professional, and a remarkable individual whose professionalism, talent and love for The Bahamas shaped her work as a journalist.

"The many ways she served Bahamians in general and Grand Bahamians in particular will forever be remembered."

Former Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and former ZNS colleague Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe said Martinborough was her mentor during her time at the Northern Service.

"Her passing has left a void in the broadcasting sector which she loved and made a difference in for so many years," Parker-Edgecombe said.

"The Bahamas has lost a wonderful broadcaster and producer, and overall human being."

Martinborough's death was said to be recorded at 8:10 p.m. and her colleagues said this was not only a sign of her dedication, but a perfect sign off and final salute to her first love, 810 radio.

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It is with profound sadness I take note of the sudden passing of my very dear friend and political colleague of many years, the Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe, affectionately known to most of us as Obie.

Ours was a friendship and association that spanned more than three decades.

I recall in particular the years that we spent together as Cabinet ministers during my first and second period as prime minister.

In each of these periods, Obie served with distinction as minister of tourism. He was a dedicated servant of the people and a chief steward of our nation's number one industry for some 10 years.

Any student of the tourism industry for the period of Obie's ministerial tenure will be left in no doubt as to the magnitude and importance of his numerous accomplishments in relation to the growth and development of Bahamian tourism.

The volume of his accomplishments in this regard is truly remarkable and will continue to be lauded by successive generations in the years ahead.

On the partisan front, I will always cherish the memories of Obie's steadfast loyalty to the great cause for which the Progressive Liberal Party has always stood.

He was a deeply committed PLP who had the distinction of serving as national chairman of the party for several years.

He approached politics with the same energy, enthusiasm, and passion that characterized his earlier professional life as one of our nation's premier radio and television journalists.

He had a particular commitment to his native Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.

During his tenure as chairman, he made it a point of visiting these islands with commendable regularity. This was to prove to be an invaluable foundation for his later career as a Cabinet minister during which he always displayed a profound passion for the promotion and development of tourism in the Family Islands.

He was a popular figure in the hierarchy of the party and was frequently called upon to speak at rallies and other gatherings due to his being an outstanding orator and his in-depth knowledge of the party.

I feel particularly sorry for Obie's beloved constituents of West End and Bimini. He was thoroughly dedicated to their upliftment and always went to great lengths to ensure their interests were kept in view by his colleagues in Cabinet and the House of Assembly.

On a personal level, Obie was a very dear and valued friend of mine for many years. I always enjoyed his company and looked forward to the time we would spend together, not only discussing matters of state, but also a variety of other subjects, including sports and athletics - especially American football and the Miami Dolphins.

He was simply a pleasure to be around because he was unfailingly interested in whatever he set his mind to.

Like most of my countrymen, I am left reeling in shock from the news of my dear friend's passing. It is all so very sudden.

I know that in the coming days we should have ample opportunity to recover our balance and reflect more deeply on the legacy Obie Wilchcombe leaves as a political leader and public servant.

He was a masterly debater and an incredibly articulate spokesman. His elocution in the halls of Parliament will be sorely missed and his commitment to service will certainly be admired and emulated in the years ahead.

On behalf of my wife Bernadette and all my family, I extend my deepest condolences to Obie's loved ones and the people of West End and Bimini, who together constituted Obie's wider family.

May he rest in peace.

— Perry G. Christie, former prime minister

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The New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA) recently hosted an impactful Generation Amazing (GA) workshop to provide training and equipment to enhance primary school sports programs across New Providence.

The full-day workshop, held at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, was attended by GA local facilitators Codisha Brown-Colebrook and Harold Romer, NPPPSSA President Latoya Sturrup, Ministry of Education Assistant Director of Education Dwayne Higgins and over 50 physical education teachers from Bahamian public primary schools.

Bahamas Football Association (BFA) Technical Director Bruce Swan presented a new format for the upcoming primary schools soccer tournament. The tournament will feature two age groups, under-10 and under-12, with games played over a four-week period. The 23 participating schools are grouped into north, south, east and west divisions, with three groups of six teams and one group of five. Matches will be played twice per week. The tournament kicks off on October 17.

The interactive workshop provided an in-depth overview of the GA methodology and how to incorporate social values into local school sports programs. GA facilitators demonstrated how to facilitate development through football and led hands-on practical sessions for attendees to experience it first-hand.

"This invaluable workshop provides our schools with the methodology, training and resources to strengthen sports programs and develop essential life skills in our students," said NPPPSSA President Latoya Sturrup. "We look forward to seeing the positive impact in our community."

The workshop is part of an ongoing partnership between the BFA and GA to provide comprehensive coach education and implement impactful youth football programs across The Bahamas.

The BFA and GA will continue collaborating to expand training and provide ongoing support for local coaches and sports programs. The workshop marked an important step in empowering primary schools to leverage sports for youth development.

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Minister of Social Services Obie Wilchcombe has died, PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell has confirmed.

Wilchcombe was the MP for West End and Bimini.

Prime Minister Philip Davis is headed to Freeport, Grand Bahama in the wake of the minister's death.