From Caribbean News Service

NASSAU, Bahamas, Jun 29 2017 – Former National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage died late Wednesday following a long battle with several ailments.

Nottage, 71, was airlifted to the United States last Friday after spending three days in the Intensive Care Unit at a local hospital.

Nottage, who was a medical practitioner, suffered from prostate cancer, kidney failure and other ailments.

On hearing of his death, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis expressed sadness at the passing of the former National Security Minister who was also his medical colleague.

“Dr. Nottage was an outstanding medical doctor and political leader. But he was first and foremost a Bahamian patriot and native son, who at his core, was deeply committed to the development of The Bahamas and the Caribbean,” the Prime Minister said.

“BJ, as he was affectionately known to us all, was born into a sporting family and so it was no surprise that he went on to become an outstanding athlete and sports organizer.  He nurtured generations of aspiring athletes in The Bahamas as well as in the region.”

The Prime Minister noted that Dr. Nottage was one of the persons responsible for bringing the Carifta Games to The Bahamas and remained a committed patron of sports.

Nottage recently ran unsuccessfully in the May 10 general election against the Free National Movement’s newcomer Travis Robinson for the Bain and Grants Town constituency, which he represented for several years.

He was a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) member of parliament from the early 80s.

Having lost to the PLP in 2002, Nottage returned as minister of health in 2006 under the Christie administration and ran in the constituency of Bain and Grants Town in 2007 successfully.

He retained that seat until his defeat in the last general election.

He is survived by his widow and two sons.

For more on this story go to: http://caribbeannewsservice.com/now/former-national-security-minister-dies/