*Alvina Reynolds, President of the Saint Lucian Senate, in her address at a joint session during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the oceanic country, underscores Nigeria and Saint Lucian ancestral links dating back to the colonial era

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

Alvina Reynolds, President of the Saint Lucian Senate, has underscored Nigeria and Saint Lucian ancestral links, quoting the result of a British census conducted on the island in 1815, which showed that most of the residents came from Nigeria.

Reynolds said: 鈥淥f the 16,282 enslaved people in Saint Lucia that year, 3,488 were born in Africa.

“Of these, 34% were from Nigeria, 11% from Nigeria-Cameroon, and 22% from the Congo.

“The remaining 12,794 were born in Saint Lucia, with most of their forefathers coming from Senegambia and Nigeria.鈥�

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who noted this historical account in a statement Monday, June 30, 2025, said the

President of the Saint Lucian Senate also reeled off the figures in her address as she welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the joint session of the Lucian bicameral parliament on Monday.

She said President Tinubu’s presence is historic for this Parliament and the people of Saint Lucia.

Reynolds also said that the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, which spanned over 350 years, forged an unbreakable historical and cultural link between Africa and the Caribbean.

The President of the Saint Lucian Senate as well described President Tinubu鈥檚 arrival as the rekindling of 鈥渁 mission to reunite us with our homeland and for our people to work together.鈥�

Reynolds, on the occasion, paid tribute to one of Saint Lucia鈥檚 most distinguished sons, Sir Darnley Alexander.

Alexander journeyed to Nigeria in 1957 and rose through the legal ranks to become the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979鈥攖he only non-Nigerian to hold the office in Nigeria鈥檚 post-independence history.

She stated: 鈥淭his mission, Your Excellency, continues with Catholic priests from Nigeria who have answered the call and come to Saint Lucia to serve, one of whom is our special guest this morning鈥擣ather Festus.鈥�

鈥淵our address to this Parliament today could not have occurred at a more auspicious time, for today is World Parliament Day鈥攁n occasion to reflect on the essential role of Parliament and the service we provide as representatives to our people.鈥�

Recognising President Tinubu鈥檚 long-standing role in defending democracy and championing good governance in Nigeria, the Senate President said: 鈥淕iven your fights, Mr. President, in the past for democratic government in your country, it is a further honour to have you and the Heads of Government of the OECS Member States observe this day with us.鈥�

In his response to President Tinubu鈥檚 speech, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre described the Nigerian leader’s State Visit as a moment of 鈥渇reedom and celebration鈥�, and a powerful symbol of the enduring spiritual and cultural bond between the Caribbean and Africa.

Pierre noted the deep ancestral and emotional ties between the people of Saint Lucia and West Africa, describing Saint Lucia as 鈥渁 small fragment of Africa鈥� where the 鈥済enetic Nigerian connection cannot be erased, and a shared cultural chord cannot be broken.鈥�

He also stated: 鈥淥ur people have been separated, but nothing has ever been able to separate us spiritually and culturally from West Africa, where some of our ancestors came from and for whom our hearts continually yearn.

鈥淲e are African people who have made permanent homes for ourselves on this side of the Atlantic, on the hills and valleys of the plantations on which we were enslaved鈥�.”

PM Pierre further said: “But we have built these homes, Mr. President, not for ourselves, but in the service of all humanity, especially Africa, in whose direction we continually watch, wait, hope and pray for our future redemption.”

In comparing the size of both nations, the Prime Minister humorously said that Saint Lucia鈥檚 population is smaller than that of Eti-Osa Local Government, in Lagos State.

He, however, affirmed the island鈥檚 pride as a sovereign nation 鈥渨ith a heart and spirit deeply connected to the world, Nigeria, and West Africa.鈥�

The Prime Minister further highlighted the invaluable contributions of the Nigerian community to Saint Lucia鈥檚 society, especially in healthcare, religion, cuisine, tourism, and social development.

鈥淲e warmly welcome every Nigerian hand of support and embrace with gratitude their contributions to Saint Lucia鈥檚 cultural, social, and economic development. We are the richer for it,鈥� he said.

Underscoring the deep literary and historical ties between the two countries, Pierre recalled the legacy of Nobel laureates Wole Soyinka and Derek Walcott, and the contribution of Saint Lucian-born jurist Sir Darnley Alexander, who served as Nigeria鈥檚 Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979.

The Prime Minister stated: 鈥淢r. President, your visit here today is coming exactly 27 years after the visit of Nelson Mandela. And 27 years is exactly the length of time Mandela spent in prison.

“So, today is a day of freedom and celebration.”

Reflecting on the relatively slow pace of Africa-Caribbean cooperation, the Prime Minister expressed optimism following the inaugural Africa-CARICOM Summit in 2021 and expressed readiness for the second summit scheduled for September in Addis Ababa.

Pierre noted: 鈥淢r. President, I am pleased that following the first summit in 2021, we have committed ourselves to deeper relations鈥�.

鈥淪aint Lucia looks forward to working with Nigeria at the Africa-CARICOM summit level as we work towards the joint development of our respective nations.鈥�

The statement disclosed the Saint Lucian leader outlined several key areas of cooperation, including tourism, air connectivity, creative industries, sports exchange, banking, FinTech, renewable energy, and medical collaboration.

Pierre noted that Saint Lucia hosts over a million tourists annually, but very few are from Nigeria due to the lack of direct air links between the two regions.

He said: 鈥淓stablishing an air link would benefit Saint Lucia鈥檚 tourism and the wider Caribbean鈥�.

“This connectivity would boost tourism and enhance trade and investment, deepen the people-to-people exchanges, and the spiritual and cultural links between our populations.鈥�

Highlighting the role of culture and youth in rekindling ties, the Prime Minister cited the popularity of Nigerian Afrobeats, Nollywood films, and authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in Saint Lucia.

He stated: 鈥淭oday, the young people of Saint Lucia have rediscovered Afrobeats and Nigerian Nollywood films as the new vehicles through which they have reconnected to the African continent鈥�.

“Our appreciation of Nigerian musical taste and talent is deep, lasting and strong.鈥�

The Prime Minister proposed concrete partnerships in the creative industries and sports development, especially football and cricket.

Pierre particularly urged Nigerian investors and FinTech companies to explore opportunities in Saint Lucia鈥檚 robust banking sector.

He also welcomed Nigerian doctors, nurses, and specialists to support Saint Lucia鈥檚 ageing population and strengthen its healthcare system.

PM Pierre noted: 鈥淚 am told that an Agreement of Technical Manpower Assistance will be signed with the Ministry of Health regarding our exchange of medical personnel from Nigeria. I look forward to its implementation.

鈥淢r. President, I hope this will not be your last visit. I look forward to visiting Nigeria in the near future鈥� and continuing to work with you as we advance the work of the Africa-CARICOM summit later this year in Ethiopia.”

The joint Session was attended by high-level dignitaries and leaders from across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), including: Honourable Chet Greene, Representative of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The statement noted other dignitaries included the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; the Honourable Reuben Meade, Premier of Montserrat; David Davis, Representative of the Government of Saint Marti; and the Honourable Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Kindly Share This Story