President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Saint Lucia has been justified by the presidency. It was called a historic cultural and diplomatic mission.
The visit involves renewing Nigeria’s historical and strategic connections with the Caribbean country and the larger CARICOM bloc, according to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information.
“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,” the statement said.
It added, “Like many Caribbean nations, Saint Lucia has a significant population of African ancestry. 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.”
The presidential spokesperson further explained that “Nigeria and the citizens of the Caribbean have strong people-to-people links,” listing the contributions of St Lucian citizens to Nigeria in times past.
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