₦airaland Forum

Image123:
Through Afreximbank’s CANEX (Creative Africa Nexus) an ongoing program, real doors are already opening and more will open for: Afrobeats, Nollywood, African fashion etc are already benefiting!

The big picture!

This whole trip seems to plug Nigeria into the Caribbean grid; its U.S. links, cultural bridges, and trade frameworks, without having to build one from scratch.

That’s the real meaning of Tinubu’s visit. It’s admittedly a long game. But one that must start.

I just pity them. They’ve have fallen inside a trap that affects ability to think or even dig deep

Mindlog:
Shy....u no even reach.😂😂😂

If I have sat across necrophiles, cannibals, pyromaniacs etc in clinical settings and prisons and ask questions, na you go wan bite me?

Calm down, you are not more than one of the APC's choir boys.😂😂😂

Originalsly:
Did you think of dig deep before writing and posting this article? CARICOM has a population of about 15 million. The OECS ... headquartered in St Lucia has a total population of 500 000. We're talking LGA. Imagine Brazil President coming to an LGA to build trade and cultural and financial ties and this will move the needle in Brazil. Will you swallow this? What will these OECS countries be selling?...when their main source of revenue is tourism? ... tourists off of cruise liners? Nigeria using the already established trade platform with the US ... they mainly export spices ..."the Spice Islands"... what will be coming from Nigeria to get to the US via the OECS? ...yams? ...cassava? ...from halfway around the earth? ...forget the condition it will meet ...what price will it meet at? ...then duties ... competing with the same goods but duty free to other Caribbean countries. What can Nigeria be possibly trading that is not available from CARICOM member states? Let's not even talk about getting into the US. Would CARICOM countries be foolish to jeopardize their trade status with the US by allowing Nigerian goods to be smuggled under their name? Five corners coming out of the OECS destined for th US will raise red flags . Cultural bridges .... like? ...Davido or Wizkid crossing the Atlantic to go play for 5 000 people? ... in St Lucia maybe 500? Acrobats?... already been there and even in South America wayyy before this visit . Nollywood? .... been there ....dead and buried nearly two decades ago .... cannot be resurrected. So if none of the abov makes sense ...what does?

Afriimbank .... I can see their role ... money laundering. These tiny islands have their own banks set up to launder and hide money. Does Tinubu have money to launder and stash? Trade ...thee island have nothing to offer Nigeria in terms of goods except spices. Combine this with the reality that lots of drugs... these small islands are used as transit points for drugs ...cocaine from South America...and local weed . Maybe somebody is setting up the trading of goods as a front to smuggle cocaine to Africa and then to Europe. Whatever Tinubu is up to .....it is no good.

Image123:
Chagoury is not High Consul of St Lucia, please stop lying. Also provide proof that he's a felony and international criminal. Thanks.

Originalsly:
Did you think of dig deep before writing and posting this article? CARICOM has a population of about 15 million. The OECS ... headquartered in St Lucia has a total population of 500 000. We're talking LGA. Imagine Brazil President coming to an LGA to build trade and cultural and financial ties and this will move the needle in Brazil. Will you swallow this? What will these OECS countries be selling?...when their main source of revenue is tourism? ... tourists off of cruise liners? Nigeria using the already established trade platform with the US ... they mainly export spices ..."the Spice Islands"... what will be coming from Nigeria to get to the US via the OECS? ...yams? ...cassava? ...from halfway around the earth? ...forget the condition it will meet ...what price will it meet at? ...then duties ... competing with the same goods but duty free to other Caribbean countries. What can Nigeria be possibly trading that is not available from CARICOM member states? Let's not even talk about getting into the US. Would CARICOM countries be foolish to jeopardize their trade status with the US by allowing Nigerian goods to be smuggled under their name? Five corners coming out of the OECS destined for th US will raise red flags . Cultural bridges .... like? ...Davido or Wizkid crossing the Atlantic to go play for 5 000 people? ... in St Lucia maybe 500? Acrobats?... already been there and even in South America wayyy before this visit . Nollywood? .... been there ....dead and buried nearly two decades ago .... cannot be resurrected. So if none of the abov makes sense ...what does?

Afriimbank .... I can see their role ... money laundering. These tiny islands have their own banks set up to launder and hide money. Does Tinubu have money to launder and stash? Trade ...thee island have nothing to offer Nigeria in terms of goods except spices. Combine this with the reality that lots of drugs... these small islands are used as transit points for drugs ...cocaine from South America...and local weed . Maybe somebody is setting up the trading of goods as a front to smuggle cocaine to Africa and then to Europe. Whatever Tinubu is up to .....it is no good.

DeepSight:
He is High Consul of St. Lucia to the Vatican.

And no, I don't need to provide any evidence that he is an international felon. You already found some yourself didn't you?

As I said, one of the curses developing nations suffer from is having citizens like you. I will not waste my time further on you.

Image123:
Oh, you're like our dear Obi that visits prisoners. What a wonderful achievement.

DeepSight:
Sensible and well written. I advise you not to waste your energy with Image123.

The kind of despicable things some Nigerians desperately defend shows us exactly why we deserve our situation as a nation.

Image123:
Chagoury is not High Consul of St. Lucia to the Vatican. You are wrong and only emotional again.
https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2005/december/documents/hf_ben_xvi_spe_20051201_ambassador-santa-lucia.html

i hoped you'd be humble enough to show or st least see that you were wrong to call Chagoury and international criminal. There's no proof of this. Knowing you, you probably know this but shamefully want to run.

Now let me school you further, the law is not emotion driven but facts and evidence based

Secondly, no Nigerian court has convicted him.

DeepSight:
Your very own link confirms this. It is a pity that you are so poorly schooled that you dont know that "High Consul" simply means Ambassador, just as "High Commissioner" means the same thing for Commonwealth Countries.



Why are you denying what you yourself already admitted? Didnt you yourself write about his conviction in Switzerland for money Laundering? Was that not an international crime done twixt Nigeria and Switzerland?

Chagoury first rose to notoriety in the 1990s as a close associate of General Sani Abacha, who ruled Nigeria with an iron fist from 1993 until his sudden death in 1998. Abacha looted an estimated $2–5 billion from the Nigerian treasury, much of it siphoned out of the country with the help of trusted intermediaries, Chagoury among them.

In 2000, Swiss prosecutors convicted Chagoury in connection with laundering funds tied to Abacha’s looting. He agreed to forfeit $66 million to the Nigerian government, a settlement that let him avoid prison. At the time, Swiss authorities described him as a key handler of illicit state funds.

From Vatican to West Africa: A Diplomatic Shield in St. Lucia

To protect his international standing, Chagoury cultivated deep relationships in Saint Lucia, a small Caribbean island nation. He currently serves as Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to the Holy See and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

These posts afford him diplomatic immunity in key jurisdictions and access to elite international forums.

https://westafricaweekly.com/gilbert-chagoury-the-convicted-money-launderer-behind-tinubus-global-image-and-domestic-ambitions/



You can never school me in law.



So what? The conviction he suffered was on account of laundering Nigerian money and is recognized in Nigeria as funds were repatriated to Nigeria thereby. This is at all events a whimsical excuse. No serious government would award such a contract as the Coastal road to a person convicted of money laundering of funds owned by same government.

I did say I dont have your time. I have only responded to set the record straight for any others who may be deceived by you.

Image123:
An High Consul IS NOT an ambassador, they are two different things, learn. It's not much of a point though but a fact that Chagoury is not High Consul of St Lucia like you ignorantly claimed.

Secondly, he was never convicted in the US like you claimed. i see your many dishonest cherry picks but i will let it slide.

Fact is that Chagoury avoided prosecution in Switzerland, the conviction was expunged after two years, and Swiss authorities did not pursue additional charges. i believe you know the meaning of expunge.

Also, no Nigerian court has convicted him. In fact, alleged senior thieves like all the previous Nigerian presidents are celebrated. The Nigerian constitution doesn't take a conviction over 10 years old seriously. You can even legally and legitimately be president. This is law, not emotions.

DeepSight:
Please tell me what a High Consul is.
In doing so, I hope you know once you acede that it is a diplomatic role such as may be said of a Consular-General, there will be no point insisting further. Because the point that he represents St. Lucia at the Vatican is what counts.

Besides, tell me, lets say, I said, whoops, sorry, I meant Ambassador - tell me how that helps your case? Does that not still argue my case? How does the point change?

At all events, High Consul simply means Amabssador in the given context.



Very well, this I grant (I am not the proud dishonest fellow you imagine me to be) - but you see, when you pay a fine in millions of dollars over such a criminal matter, it is quite as bad as a conviction as it has the same effect in terms of your crimnal history and reputation. The truth is many criminals enter into all sorts of plea deals and agreements and arrangements and no nuanced person will disregard the payment of a fine in such circumstances.



Only his lawyer claims that the conviction was expunged. There is no evidence of that.



This is NOT the law in Nigeria. There will have to be a pardon or a formal setting aside by a higher court.

Overall I must emhasize that all of this remains beside the point. No responsible government will award such a contract as the Coastal High Way to a person convicted of being involved in the theft of monies from the same government. Such should be anathema. If you justify and defend that, it is only because you have chosen probably tribalism above the patriotic and ethical interest of your country and that is truly sad.

Image123:
i told you he's not a high Consul or convicted, i asked you to establish evidence to the contrary, you refused because you goofed. Then i showed you the facts which you were unable to refute but cherry pick.
There are different diplomats and diplomatic roles, educate yourself please. For example, Nigeria's high Consul to the US is different from Nigeria's ambassador to the US. i was the one that told you with evidence that Chagoury was an ambassador so don't sidestep to diplomat.
Diplomat roles include Ambassador, High Commissioner, Consul General / Consul, Deputy Chief of Mission, attaché, permanent representative, chargé d’Affaires, honorary Consul and so on.

are undeniable facts, come with facts or keep quiet like you threatened instead of shifting goal posts and rigmarole.
Chagoury is not convicted in the US.
Chagoury is not convicted in Switzerland.
Chagoury is not convicted in the Vatican.
Chagoury is not convicted in St. Lucia.
Chagoury is not convicted in Nigeria.
Chagoury is only convicted in DeepS's heart and on random links.
Stick with facts, not emotions.

DeepSight:
Let's make this simple. I goofed. He is not High Consul. He is Ambassador.
Now please be so kind as to tell me how that helps your case.
Be so kind as to tell me how it detracts one jot from my point.
Thank you.

(PS: It beats me if you cannot see that if you say he is Ambassador, and Ambassador is a higher rank than High Consul - you have even promoted my case higher. You have gone further to argue my point more emphatically. Its like me claiming that someone is Deputy MD in a conflicted position and you argue against that and say no, he is MD. That makes it worse. But you are way too slow to see the point!)



How can you claim he isnt convicted in Switzerland? You yourself admitted it. Show evidence that it is "expunged" as you claim.

I see you cherry pick. I have been honest and frank with you - even humble when you least expected it - but for you, you have run away from even admitting that there is nothing like a ten year limit for validity of convictions in Nigeria. But that is beside the point. The point remains that no serious government will award such a contract to a person convicted of being involved in a process of theft from it. And no worthwhile citizen will ever defend such. Simple.

And to the topic of the thread - it is abundantly obvious what BAT is doing spending 10 days in St. Lucia. Everyone knows - even you. Stop ying to yourself.

Image123:
Alleluia, that's more like the DeepS i knew in the religion section. Thanks to God for the admission and forced humility. Now, come with facts or keep quiet like you threatened instead of shifting goal posts and rigmarole.

DeepSight:
No, it is you to come with facts. We all know he was convicted. Show the evidence that it was expunged. (PS - I searched online and found none - only his lawyer claims so).

And so you mean you do not see the point that your argument that he is Ambassador only helps my case further? If you truly dont, that is the 8th wonder of the world.

Thirdly, why dont you admit you lied (or were ignorant) concerning your claimed ten year limit on the validity of convictions in Nigeria? Even if this is not central to the dicussion, its a false claim you made in your desperation.

PS: I only granted you the distinction between High Consul and Ambassador to show you how meaningless your making a distinction was - and show you that it even argues for my case. In truth, there is no distinction in the particular circumstance.

Image123:
Nope, i don't owe you any proof. It was an aside or also, not the main. It's you that accused Chagoury of convictions and being high Consul of St Lucia as reason for the President's visit that needs to show proof AND how it connects. As much as i recall, Dangote and i think Sanwo Olu had been in the Caribbeans earlier regarding this partnership the FG is making. It's you and your likes that insist it's a lie that should provide evidence. Not asking me to provide your evidence. If it's so important and connecting to you, find it. Search harder or let's even see what you got asides WhatsApp status gist.
As for 10 year limit for conviction, check the constitution and learn.
Section 137(1)(e)
Section 182(1)(e)
Section 66(1)(d)
Section 107(1)(d)

You may also read the case of Action Congress v. INEC (2007) if interested. Hopefully there's no further rigmarole.

DeepSight:
Those sections have to do with qualification to run for office. They do not invalidate a conviction.
Good night.

The Nigerian constitution doesn't take a conviction over 10 years old seriously. You can even legally and legitimately be president. This is law, not emotions.

Image123:
Read what i initially said.

Image123:
It makes a sad commentary on the abject level of awareness of common currency social & political goings on in society by people who claim to have gone to school!

Abeg, let the savages stay savage! For those inclined to learn, here goes. It’s very short.

St. Lucia wears 2 hats: it’s a member of CARICOM (Caribbean Community). And hosts the HQ of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

CARICOM is like a Caribbean AU.

OECS is a tighter union; one currency & a shared central bank. Much like ECOWAS, but much more integrated.

Tinubu’s visit kills two birds with one stone. It’s courting both these Caribbean blocs at once.

Why does this matter?

CARICOM states sit squarely within the U.S. trade orbit.

Many OECS & CARICOM countries already have existing strong U.S. financial & logistical ties and preferential trade access to US markets.

These are mighty useful platforms for Nigeria to plug into, by mainly leveraging on a structure in which it is the largest shareholder.

Enter Afreximbank!

This is Africa’s trade and export bank. It was once Africa only, but now it includes Caribbean nations as formal partners.

It has already begun funding Caribbean projects.

Nigeria is both a major shareholder and top beneficiary in it.

At the 2025 Afreximbank AGM in Abuja recently, African-Caribbean leaders okayed key initiatives: to expand PAPSS (Pan-African Payment & Settlement System) supporting local-currency payments across the Atlantic. Also support diaspora investments, & Afro-Caribbean trade integration.

Through Afreximbank’s CANEX (Creative Africa Nexus) an ongoing program, real doors are already opening and more will open for: Afrobeats, Nollywood, African fashion etc are already benefiting!

The big picture!

This whole trip seems to plug Nigeria into the Caribbean grid; its U.S. links, cultural bridges, and trade frameworks, without having to build one from scratch.

That’s the real meaning of Tinubu’s visit. It’s admittedly a long game. But one that must start.

Of course there’ll still be lingering cynics, after all these.

I just pity them. They’ve have fallen inside a trap that affects ability to think or even dig deep.

For those who’ve read this far, I hope you find a niche to occupy in the opportunities that are likely to open up.

Nigeria can be terribly frustrating but each person owes it to her/himself to not become crippled by cynicism. It’s hard but doable. You should never allow it.

To the ones who just want a laugh at someone seemingly ‘defending’ a government they dislike, a word of advice:—
Even if you doubt all I say, just take the seeming trivia shared in the original post & note them.

They may prove the decider when you’re in tie, and a choice of that one person with that little extra je ne sais quoi has to be made, in a job opportunity situation.

Best wishes!

The Genesis.

https://x.com/GbenroAdegbola/status/1940282372269982162?t=ryEwNaaovf0Rt1TthBnBPg&s=19[/quote]Absolutely brilliant takes.

I followed the visit of the Nigerian President 'Bola Tinubu and it was done with CLEAR intentionality. St. Lucia is indeed the HQ of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECD) and a member of CARICOM which have direct business links with the United States through bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.

He indeed gave a very fantastic speech to the members of the St. Lucian Parliament and got a standing ovation at the end of the speech.
He ALSO proposed a visa waiver for all Caribbean nations by Nigeria while calling for them to reciprocate the gesture to Nigerians.


The deep level of trolling and IRRESPONSIBLE ethnic bigotry on this NL thread and Website threads since Tinubu's visit to St. Lucia shows once again that there are people actively working to destabilize Nigeria and her efforts simply because they want their own kinsman to be the President. It's time to ensure that those who are blatantly derailing threads and deliberately spreading massive disinformation online and offline to demarket those in political office are brought to justice for prosecution in the courts of law.