The Nigerian Presidency has clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent trip to Saint Lucia is not a holiday but a diplomatic mission.
Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, early Sunday. His presence triggered claims online that he had gone on a Caribbean vacation.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, responded sharply. He described the reports as “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed.”
Strengthening Ancestral Bonds Through Diplomacy
According to the presidency, Saint Lucia views Tinubu’s visit as a door to deepen historical and cultural ties with Nigeria.
“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,” Onanuga said.
He added that Saint Lucia has deep African roots. Many of its people trace their ancestry to Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
The people of Saint Lucia are excited. They see Tinubu’s visit as a chance to reconnect and collaborate with African nations.
A Caribbean Gateway to the Global South
Saint Lucia is not just a tropical island. It is the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and a gateway to 15 CARICOM member nations.
“CARICOM states have a combined GDP of over $130 billion,” the presidency noted.
This makes the island a vital trade partner for the Global South. The presidency says cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean is urgent, especially in today’s uncertain world.
“In an era of global uncertainty, deepening cooperation between the Global South, particularly between continental Africa and the Caribbean, has become imperative,” the statement said.
Four D’s Framework and AU Sixth Region Vision
The presidency explained that Tinubu’s visit supports Nigeria’s foreign policy vision based on the Four D’s: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.
It also aligns with the African Union’s Sixth Region Agenda, which recognises the African diaspora as a key development partner.
Nigeria aims to collaborate with the Caribbean through education, cultural exchange, and heritage preservation.
“Our cultural exports, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature, are already making a significant impact on Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean,” the statement said.
The message of the government is that Tinubu’s visit is not just symbolic, but a step toward creating practical partnerships in trade, culture, and governance between the two regions.
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