Today, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley celebrates his 72nd birthday and he expects to spend it quietly with family.
He’s also taking some time to play golf, one of his favourite sports.
On Friday, he said he was in Tobago and would be spending his birthday with his family.
“I will be spending it with my wife, other family members, children, grandchildren, cousins etc. I am also meeting up with a few golf partners for a game this afternoon and tomorrow. I will also be visiting my farm for some other outdoor exercise. Somewhere along the way, I expect some relaxation just taking in the quiet and serenity of Tobago, a treat that I always find enjoyable and invigorating,” he told the Sunday Guardian by WhatsApp on Friday.
Rowley is a product of pre-independent T&T.
He was born on October 24, 1949, in Mason Hall, Tobago, and was raised by his grandparents, who were prominent Tobago farmers.
Rowley completed his secondary schooling at Bishop’s High School (BHS), Tobago and his academic performance saw him capture the prestigious Sylvan Bowles Scholarship at BHS.
He then commenced his studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, from where he graduated with a BSc. Geology (First Class Honours), Geography (First Class Honours); MSc in Volcanic Stratigraphy, UWI, St. Augustine.
The politics
This year is also the 40th anniversary of his first foray into parliamentary politics.
He first ran for political office in 1981, where he contested the Tobago West seat. To date, Rowley has the distinction of being the only People's National Movement (PNM) candidate to have contested a seat in a general election in both Tobago and Trinidad.
He first served in Parliament as an opposition senator from 1987-1990.
Rowley is the MP for Diego Martin West in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, where he has represented that constituency since 1991.
Following the PNM’s defeat in the general election in 2010, Rowley was appointed Leader of the Opposition and elected political leader of the PNM in 2010.
On September 7, 2015, Rowley led the PNM to general election victory, to become the 7th Prime Minister of T&T. He was re-elected to serve as Prime Minister on August 10, 2020, after winning the 2020 general election.
In 2018, he released his autobiography, From Mason Hall to Whitehall which gives several anecdotes from his life’s experiences, with a healthy appreciation and fondness for Mason Hall.