President Christine Kangaloo paid kudos to the resolve of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, as they charted a nation from colonialism, Independence and Republicanism, stating she’s proud to be Trinbagonian.

“We had surveyed the landscape of independence, tested the waters of sovereignty and declared ourselves ready to shoulder the full responsibility of building a nation,” Kangaloo said in her Republic Day message. The country celebrates its 49th anniversary of republican ­status today.

“At the time, there were those who questioned whether we were prepared for such a responsibility. And even today, when we experience moments that test our resolve—and those moments seem never in short supply—there are still those who question the wisdom of having taken that step. But I firmly believe that history has shown and will continue to demonstrate that we were right to take such a massive leap of faith.”