The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saint Lucia which they said Nigerians mistook for a vacation.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday he described the president’s visit as a landmark diplomatic and cultural mission.
He stated; “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.
“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.”
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The aide further explained how Saint Lucia, like many Caribbean nations, has deep ancestral roots connected to West Africa, especially Nigeria.
According to him, Saint Lucia citizens are excited that the president chose to visit them as they long to strengthen bond with African Nations.
The Presidency clarified that the president’s visit is a major effort within the framework of South-South cooperation and Nigeria’s Four D’s foreign policy strategy- Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.
Onanuga went further to cite diplomatic and historical bonds, as he recalled key historical ties between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
He noted the life and career of Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian who served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979.
“He first came to Nigeria in 1957, recruited as a legal draftsman by the Western Regional Government of Chief Obafemi Awolowo,” the statement added.
The presidency further analyzed how Alexander was appointed Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Western Regional Ministry of Justice in 1960.
Then, he became a judge in the Lagos High Court, four years after.
In 1969, the defunct South Eastern State appointed him the chief judge.
Onanuga went on to highlight other Saint Lucia citizens who worked with Nigeria in time past insisting that Nigeria and them have had a relationship from time past.
The statement added; “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.”
On cultural footprint, the presidency highlighted that the Gros Islet Street Party is one of Saint Lucia’s most famous cultural events. It has been held every Friday for over 50 years.
According to the statement, before President Tinubu’s arrival on friday Afrobeats and Nigerian music dominated the airwaves, a testament to Nigeria’s growing soft power and cultural footprint.
Hunting on the importance of the visit as regards democracy, the statement highlighted that Saint Lucia is a stable parliamentary democracy, making it a natural ally for Nigeria, which has enjoyed 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
The presidency, in the statement also hinted that Nigeria is projected to become the third most populous country in the world by 2050.
Onanuga also disclosed that the President Tinubu is scheduled to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to deepen educational partnerships alongside some delegates including; members of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, who are deployed to ACP countries to provide professional services.
Also, Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister will host a reception for the Nigerian community, where they will meet with the President and his delegation.
Interestingly, the statement explained that after President Nelson Mandela’s visit to Saint Lucia in 1998 during the 19th CARICOM Heads of Government Summit, President Tinubu’s visit 27 years later, is a historic diplomatic milestone.
He disclosed that the President would engage a special address to a 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.
The statement concluded; “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.”
