*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on a state visit to Saint Lucia, urges Nigerians living in Caribbean country to ‘continue to be good ambassadors of Nigeria’

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has interacted with both Nigerian professionals and students living in Saint Lucia.

Tinubu, for the second day, pledged to resolve some of the issues the Nigerians raised about their stay in the foreign country diplomatically.

The President, who had met with Nigerians at the official residence of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, Tuesday night, again met with them Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the Windjammer Resort, his abode during his state visit to Saint Lucia.

绿帽献妻 reports Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), organised the meeting and invited various Nigerian professionals and students living in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa noted Nigeria is proud of what its citizens contribute to Saint Lucia, and hopes they will remember home.

She equally thanked President Tinubu for coming to the meeting to interact with Nigerians.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Wednesday also stated Smart Okeudili Duah, President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), informed President Tinubu of some of the problems Nigerians are encountering, particularly the cost of a work permit, which is $2,500 yearly in Saint Lucia.

Duah also urged the President to establish diplomatic presence in Saint Lucia as urgently as possible.

Tinubu has already committed to doing this, said the Presidency in the statement.

Father Festus Iwuagwu, a Nigerian priest resident in Saint Lucia, said the high turnout at the meeting indicated Nigerians’ love and respect for President Tinubu.

Dr. Olugbemisola Ogunlusi, who moved to聽 Saint Lucia after graduating as a paediatrician from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, also said she was happy President Tinubu visited Saint Lucia.

Onanuga further disclosed Ogunlusi and her husband migrated to the country 19 years ago, and raised children who are now Medical Doctors.

However, Olugbemisola husband later returned to Nigeria, and was appointed the Chief Medical Director (CMD)of one of the new Federal Medical Centres in the West African country.

Dr. Ogunlusi told the Nigerian leader: “Since you arrived, you have propagated Nigeria more than ever thought.”

She wished President Tinubu a safe journey home, the statement noted.

President Tinubu said that, based on what his hosts told him, Nigerians in Saint Lucia have demonstrated good character.

The President, therefore, urged them to continue to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

He further said: “My plea to you all: continue to be of good behaviour, don’t break the law.”

Sharing his experience as a student in the United States (US) five decades ago, President Tinubu urged the Saint Lucian Nigerians to remain focused and work hard.

He advised: “Life is about working hard, being consistent, he said….

“For the professionals living here, our government will not abandon you. But you must work hard. It is our job to help you succeed.”

The statement as well noted Tinubu promised to resolve some of the issues raised at the meeting diplomatically.

The President informed Nigerians about his administration’s efforts at restoring economic stability in the country.

He stated: “We inherited a country that was near bankruptcy. But we have been able to rescue the economy.

“Nigeria has recovered. We have made the smuggling of our oil unattractive. We have stopped chasing forex papers at the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

President Tinubu stated although Nigeria’s per capita income is comparatively low, his administration is working to improve it.

The Nigerians present at the forum gifted the President a portrait in his image, made by Doris, a medical student and artist in Saint Lucia, the statement added.

Kindly Share This Story