Prime Minister Gaston Browne has declared centenarian Irenie Mussington a "national treasure" following a celebration marking her 103rd birthday, attended by senior government officials, family members and community representatives.
According to Antigua News Room, the milestone birthday celebration was attended by the Community Development and Citizens' Engagement Division, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner. Mussington received a government cheque for EC$10,000 and two fruit baskets during the event.
Speaking on the Brown and Brown Show on Sunday, Browne praised Mussington's longevity and mental acuity. "One hundred and three years and still going strong, still in control of her faculties. That is just remarkable," he said. "This distinguished lady is obviously a national treasure and we are very happy to celebrate her 103rd birthday."
The Prime Minister also revealed that Mussington had sent him a personal message during the celebration, expressing her approval of his administration's governance. "She said, 'Tell the Prime Minister that the country is running good.' She said, 'Look, I'm 103 years old and I'm so impressed the way in which your administration is running this country,'" Browne recounted.
Browne said the remarks carried particular weight given the source. "When you get those kind of commendations, especially coming from someone who would have seen it all for the last century, it really warmed my heart to hear that," he said.
The Prime Minister added that Mussington's words reinforced his administration's commitment to serving the people of Antigua and Barbuda and continuing efforts to improve quality of life across the nation.
