RASHEEDA Ali-Seck received a surprise 80th birthday welcome when she arrived in Nassau yesterday.

Travelling to the Bahamas to celebrate, she was met by family members and a posse of vendors, taxi drivers and hair braiders at Festival Place, Prince George Wharf, as she left her cruise ship. Living legend John “Chippie” Chipman, the renowned Bahamian goatskin drummer, gave her a special Happy Birthday performance.

Mrs Ali-Seck, who was overcome by the surprise, was taken to a special luncheon hosted by People-to-People Ambassador Beverly Wallace-Whitfield, who is also celebrating her birthday this week.

The People-to-People programme is a Ministry of Tourism initiative to improve visitors’ experience and hospitality when they arrive. It aims to match visitors with ambassadors according to their occupation, interests, religious beliefs, age or hobbies. Any Bahamian national can apply to become an ambassador, who will be certified by the MOT.