₦airaland Forum

The Presidency on Sunday defended President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Saint Lucia, describing it as a landmark diplomatic and cultural mission.

It said the visit is rekindling Nigeria’s ancestral and strategic ties with the Caribbean nation and the wider CARICOM bloc.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said, “In the wake of some Nigerians’ misguided, mischievous, and uninformed comments regarding President Bola Tinubu’s historic state visit to Saint Lucia, it is necessary to clarify the purpose of the visit.”

The statement is titled ‘Why President Tinubu is on a state visit to Saint Lucia.’

It added, “First, from the perspective of the Government of Saint Lucia, the visit by the Nigerian leader paves the way for the rekindling of our ancestral bonds, igniting a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic possibilities between our nations.”

Onanuga explained that Saint Lucia, like many Caribbean nations, has deep ancestral roots connected to West Africa, especially Nigeria.

The statement read,” In the mid-19th century, a wave of immigrants from present-day Nigeria arrived in Saint Lucia, bringing cultural and religious practices that persist today.

“Citizens of Saint Lucia are excited that President Tinubu has chosen to visit the island.

“They long to strengthen their bonds with African nations with which they share ancestral links.”

The Presidency described the visit as a major effort within the framework of South-South cooperation and Nigeria’s Four D’s foreign policy strategy- Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.

It said, “Saint Lucia is the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and the gateway to the 15 CARICOM member states.

“The CARICOM states have a combined GDP of over $130 billion, a significant figure in South-South trade discourse.”

Citing diplomatic and historical bonds, Onanuga recalled key historical ties between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, most notably the life and career of Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian who served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979.

“Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian-born jurist who died on February 10, 1989, served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979,” it said, adding that, “He first came to Nigeria in 1957, recruited as a legal draftsman by the Western Regional Government of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.”


It explained that Alexander became the acting Director of Public Prosecutions in 1958.

In 1960, he was appointed Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Western Regional Ministry of Justice.

Four years later, he was appointed a judge in the Lagos High Court, and in 1969, the defunct South Eastern State appointed him the chief judge.

He later became the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1975, succeeding Sir Teslim Olawale Elias.

The presidency also highlighted the contributions of other Saint Lucians, including Neville Skeete, who helped design the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, and Sir Darnley’s son Michael, a frontline medical officer during the Nigerian civil war.

On the cultural front, the Presidency stated that Tinubu’s visit aligns with the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, which recognises the African diaspora as a key development partner.


“Nigeria actively fosters cultural exchange through collaboration in education, culture, and heritage preservation.

“Our cultural exports, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature, are already making a significant impact on Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean,” it said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s growing cultural footprint, the statement noted, “The Gros Islet Street Party is arguably one of Saint Lucia’s most famous cultural events. It has been held every Friday for over 50 years.

“On the Friday before President Tinubu’s arrival, Afrobeats and Nigerian music dominated the airwaves, a testament to Nigeria’s growing soft power and cultural footprint.”

On democratic values, the Presidency stressed that “Saint Lucia is a stable parliamentary democracy, making it a natural ally for Nigeria, which has enjoyed 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.”

During the live coverage of Tinubu’s arrival, a Saint Lucian commentator reportedly described him as a “fighter for democracy.”

Regarding Nigeria’s growing population, the statement said, “Nigeria is projected to become the third most populous country in the world by 2050.

“President Tinubu has consistently emphasised that Nigeria’s youthful population is a driver of economic transformation via education, industrialisation, and innovation.”

As part of his itinerary, President Tinubu is scheduled to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to deepen educational partnerships.

The delegation also includes members of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, who are deployed to ACP countries to provide professional services.

“This assistance is delivered through the deployment of Nigerian professionals to recipient countries to address specific needs,” Onanuga explained.

The statement added that Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister will host a reception for the Nigerian community, where they will meet with the President and his delegation.

“This event is a unique opportunity for the Nigerian community to interact with their President and discuss matters of mutual interest, further strengthening the ties between the two nations,” the presidency said.

Saint Lucia, which gained independence in 1979, has hosted fewer than 10 official state visits.

The last visit by an African leader was President Nelson Mandela’s in 1998 during the 19th CARICOM Heads of Government Summit.

“Therefore, President Tinubu’s 2025 visit, 27 years later, is a historic diplomatic milestone,” the statement said.

The visit will also include a special address by President Tinubu to a joint session of Saint Lucia’s bi-cameral Parliament.

“President Tinubu will address a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s bi-cameral Parliament at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Conference Hall, named after former U.S. President Bill Clinton,” Onanuga revealed.

The Presidency concluded its statement by reiterating the significance of the visit, urging Nigerians to see it for what it is—a strategic, historic engagement.

“President Tinubu’s visit is not a vacation, as misrepresented by critics, but a diplomatic and cultural outreach that advances Nigeria’s interests and deepens its global partnerships,” it read.

Source: https://punchng.com/Tinubus-visit-to-Saint-Lucia-strategic-engagement-not-vacation-Presidency

People shouldn't be bothered about his travels after all his presence here and absence is one and the same.

..when you hear "strategic"..you know it is all lies, deceit & propaganda..

..he claimed to be a guru strategist by taming the Atlantic ocean..& failed woefully as a fake strategist to tame insecurity & Inflation..

..a country which is supposed to come to Nigeria for the strategic nonsense..instead of saying the truth..you are lying..

..OTP..insha allah..

Why was nothing said about the duration of the 'strategic' engagement?

If you invite him for birthday ceremony in as far as Australia, he will attend.
Waka Waka president
Always jumping up and down like a motherless donkey
Unserious human being

Saint Lucia economy is propelled primarily by Tourism,so what is Nigeria president going to do there,when Nigeria do not have comparative advantage in that industry.

Nigeria has potentials in the mining industry,so ,he should sign agreements and MOU's with like minded countries that are thriving in that industry.

He should think of revamping Nigeria dead refineries and stop the importation of fuel, that is what is killing the Nigerian economy, that's the sole reason the naira continue to lost it's value

The government has to be focused and not just wasting scarce state resources af this critical times on irrelevant visits

A country that Osogbo is bigger than with no significant industrial and engineering ties....

Offshore Account tinz

Like they say; "Nigeria is a crime scene"

We can all see that Peter Obi is a disgrace to himself. Dude just keep on misyarning without feeling no remorse

Btw, just imagine how the Obidients have been disrespecting the people of Saint Lucia, calling their country a drug country just because president Tinubu visited there

We are keeping all the receipts of the boring attitude of the Obidients

Saint Lucia is a large cocaine market. Make it make sense to those who has brain.

Malroux:
Saint Lucia is a large cocaine market. Make it make sense to those who has brain.

Wao! 😆 You might be in that business to have this brain o......

Apart from France where his man dey,this man no dey ever go where others they go.oga presido is there something your not telling us about yourself?

coputa:
Saint Lucia economy is propelled primarily by Tourism,so what is Nigeria president going to do there,when Nigeria do not have comparative advantage in that industry.

Nigeria has potentials in the mining industry,so ,he should sign agreements and MOU's with like minded countries that are thriving in that industry.

He should think of revamping Nigeria dead refineries and stop the importation of fuel, that is what is killing the Nigerian economy, that's the sole reason the naira continue to lost it's value

The government has to be focused and not just wasting scarce state resources af this critical times on irrelevant visits

we don't have patriotic leaders, they have refineries outside, so they cannot revamp the one in Nigeria and they convince their mimu supporters that the problem is subsidy and the supporters runs with it,they conveniently ignore the real source of the problems which is importation of Petroleum products

A wave of immigrants abi a wave of slaves

They were slaves not immigrants

Presidency will say one thing today and say another thing tomorrow.

They really need to be coordinated.

adenigga:
Source: https://punchng.com/Tinubus-visit-to-Saint-Lucia-strategic-engagement-not-vacation-Presidency

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁.

St. Lucia is one of the homes of that white powder.

Now I know how strategic the visit is.

In fact, it is also “REFORMIC”

Story for the babablus.

Tinubu go still hide enter UK, Germany or France for medical recharging of his body.

We know the format.

So make baba no go flex

This people Una no they ok o
So una want the battery to run down ni




Obidence una ni deliverance o

How would you say Nigeria has ancestry ties with Saint Lucia?

Nigeria is a man made name given to the business bought by the Royal Niger company.

The best president ever from the bottom. Ride on man cos both travelling and sitting no change result

Our president visiting a country with a population of 180,000 for strategic engagement.

But I thought I read somewhere that he was going for rest/leave?
True talk sha.
We shouldn't bother about his presence or absence cos they are same thing.

Yep, bilateral trade discussions over Pina coladas, coconut and pineapple smoothies, beach chairs and girls in bikinis. He probably went there to discuss how we can import some of that beautiful and highly sort after beach sand that they have over there. Right? Ancestral ties, what a joke

Otunba Lambaaa.....just dy play. Normal APC response

I heard they seized some cocaine in that country recently....
If you know you know....

Drug dealer money no dey loss

What's the population of Saint lucia?

what's the economy benefits of the president not even the vice or minister visiting this country..
he has gone to negotiate where to stash his ill gotten loot

Tinubu can only deceive his gullible tribalistic sheeps

You dey go strategic engagement for saint lucia, dey play.

If names like Chagoury are coming up with strong affiliations to St. Lucia, then this is just another personal engagement embarked upon with taxpayers money.

Is Saint Lucia vibrant economically? Tourism is the only thing it has as a nation, it depends on foreign aids. I can't see Nigeria making any meaningful deal with that country.

Lolzzzzz, nobody expected them to say anything aside to defend.
Useless bunch of cretins in power