fp Turks and Caicos

Birthdays are always special, and for interim government CEO Mark Capes and family friend Jane Onwudiwe, both born on Feb. 19. It was extra special this year because they were able to share the day together in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Capes explained that Jane, originally from Nigeria, is presently staying with him and his wife Tamara at their apartment on Providenciales for a short holiday away from chilly winter days in Toronto where Jane now lives. The birthday duo are pictured here on Providenciales.

Capes said that he and his wife first met Jane in 1983 when they were on a diplomatic posting to Lagos, Nigeria. While he worked at the British High Commission in Lagos, Tamara took a job at Lloyds Bank International where Jane also worked at the time. They have been close friends ever since, and Jane is godmother to the Capes’ two children. She has visited the Capes family on their postings around the world, including Anguilla and Bermuda, and even to far away New Zealand.

Jane also visited the Capes family during their first assignment in the Turks and Caicos Islands from 1991 to 1994 when Capes was Deputy Chief Secretary on Providenciales. This is her first visit to TCI since her stay here in 1993.

“Provo has changed so much since the early 90s, but even though there are many more hotels and condo, it never seems crowded here, and Grace Bay is still as beautiful as ever,” Jane said of the development of the island since her last visit.

“The other notable difference is the large number of international flights to Providenciales. Now it is so easy to get here from Canada with regular direct flights on Air Canada and WestJet, instead of having to travel via Miami as I did in the 90s.”