Oliver Seraphin
![]() |
Oliver James Seraphin | |
---|---|
Prime Minister of Dominica | |
In office June 25, 1979 – July 21, 1980 | |
President | Jenner Armour Aurelius Marie |
Preceded by | Patrick John |
Succeeded by | Eugenia Charles |
Personal details | |
Born | Roseau, Dominica | August 2, 1943
Nationality | Dominican |
Political party | Dominica Labour Party |
Oliver James "O. J." Seraphin (or Seraphine; born August 2, 1943) is a former Dominican politician. He served as the Minister of communication and works and housing for the Labour Party government from 1975–1979 and acting Prime Minister of Dominica from 25 June 1979 until 21 July 1980.
Early life
Seraphin grew up in Roseau, Dominica, the capital, and received primary and secondary education at Roseau Mixed School and Dominica Grammar School; later in life, he studied at the Carnegie Institute in the United States and in Cuba. Prior to politics, he worked in the insurance industry.[1]
Government Minister
He served in the socialist Dominica Labour Party government of Prime Minister Patrick John from 1975 to 1979. Seraphin originally held the posts of Minister of Communications, Works, and Housing, but in a cabinet reshuffle, the Prime Minister made him Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Caricom Affairs.[1] During this time, the Commonwealth of Dominica gained its independence from the United Kingdom. When violent crowds opposed to the John government protested outside the House of Assembly, Seraphin resigned.[1]
Prime Minister
Seraphin became Prime Minister on June 25 1979, at the request of the Committee of National Salvation. In August 1979, Dominica was hit by Hurricane David, which killed over 76 people, and devastated much of the island. Seraphin was preoccupied with rescue and rebuilding efforts. He traveled to Barbados, Canada, France, the United States, and Venezuela to seek financial aid for rebuilding his country's infrastructure, in which he did. He was known to also help and rebuild homes for the homeless financing it all from his own personal account. He restored the island and helped create jobs. In his one plus year in office, he is said to have helped over half of the population of the island in the biggest hurricane Dominica has faced.[citation needed]
He lost the 1980 general election to Eugenia Charles.[1]
Life after politics
Seraphin's government is commonly referred to as the "Interim Government." Since leaving politics, he has returned to business, especially that which is tourism-related, and maintains a public profile.[1]
He is married to Lily Seraphin.
References
- ^ a b c d e Honychurch, Lennox. "Seraphin, Oliver, James "O.J.":". Lennox Honychurch's A-to-Z of Dominica's Heritage. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
- BLP articles lacking sources from May 2018
- All BLP articles lacking sources
- All articles with unsourced statements
- Articles with unsourced statements from May 2022
- 1943 births
- Living people
- People from Roseau
- Dominica Labour Party politicians
- Prime Ministers of Dominica
- Agriculture ministers of Dominica
- Communication ministers of Dominica
- Foreign ministers of Dominica
- Fisheries ministers of Dominica
- Housing ministers of Dominica
- Public works ministers of Dominica
- Members of the House of Assembly of Dominica
- Dominica businesspeople