*Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, in his address on the country鈥檚 鈥�2025 Emancipation Day鈥�, describes the politically-motivated attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent visit to the Caribbean country as another 鈥榙emonstration of harmful effects of the legacy of slavery: self-hate鈥�, and readiness to accept Africans and their descendants as 鈥榠nferior鈥� in the global world

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Saint Lucian Government has taken a swipe at some Nigerians, especially members of the opposition 鈥渃oalition gang鈥� for their alleged debase remarks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu鈥檚 recent official visit to the Caribbean country.

A section of Nigerians has criticised President Tinubu鈥檚 recent visit to Saint Lucia to establish formal relations with the Island and other members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR (l) and Hon. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, during the former’s visit to the Caribbean country recently

绿帽献妻 reports Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister (PM) of Saint Lucia, in his address on the country鈥檚 2025 Emancipation Day recently, however, described the politically-motivated assaults on President Tinubu for visiting their country as 鈥渁nother demonstration of the harmful effects of the legacy of slavery.”

He also said the demaening act of the individuals and political groups amounted to “self-hate鈥�, and their readiness to accept the fellow African people and their descendants as 鈥渋nferior鈥� in the global world.

Pierre: Attacks on Tinubu a 鈥榗olonial legacy of self-hate鈥� by Africans

Hon. Pierre said the reported derisive remarks, apparently instigated by the collation politicians were symptomatic of the harmful colonial legacy of self-hate by fellow Africans, and a clear demonstration of the harmful effects of legacy of slavery and post-colonial mentality among Africans.

The Saint Lucian Prime Minister asserted that the political reaction to the Nigerian leader鈥檚 visit was 鈥渘othing short of shameful and disgraceful鈥�, just as it was bereft of any modicum of civility, public and diplomatic decency.

He, however, restated his administration鈥檚 commitment to implement useful diplomatic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) he had sealed with President Tinubu during the latter鈥檚 visit on education, economic ties, and culture, for the advancement of the two countries.

On new Technical Manpower Assistance

As part of the spinoffs from President Tinubu鈥檚 visit regarding the fresh Bilateral Agreement between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, the Federal Government July 2025, announced plans to send professionals in various fields, including doctors, teachers, and agriculturists, to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean countries under a newly-signed Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) agreement.

President Tinubu (middle) and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, during a meeting with some Nigerian professionals and students living in Saint Lucia

President Tinubu administration’s agreement, signed in Castries, Saint Lucia, is also said to be part of broader foreign policy agenda to promote South-South cooperation and reconnect with the African Diaspora in the Caribbean.

Yusuf Buba Yakub, Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), on the signing ceremony, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Janelle Modeste-Stephen, Acting Permanent Secretary at Saint Lucia鈥檚 Ministry of External Affairs, signed on behalf of the host country.

Yakubu described the bilateral agreement as 鈥渁 great achievement.”

The Director-General of TAC said the agreement reflected Tinubu鈥檚 directive to provide technical aid to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

In the agreement, Nigerian volunteers are to serve for two years, with Nigeria covering their allowances and logistics, while the host countries provide accommodations and local support.

Yakub revealed that since August 2023, over 300 Nigerian professionals had been deployed to countries across Africa and the Caribbean States.

More are scheduled to depart for Grenada and Jamaica in the coming days, he said.

Likewise, on the diplomatic front, President Tinubu took time off to interact with both Nigerian professionals and students living in Saint Lucia during his visit.

He equally pledged to resolve some of the issues the Nigerians had 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 Pierre, again met with them July 2, at the Windjammer Resort, his abode during his state visit to Saint Lucia.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), who organised the meeting, had invited several 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.

Nigerians urge Tinubu to establish 鈥榙iplomatic presence鈥� in St. Lucia

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

Duah as well urged Tinubu to 鈥渆stablish diplomatic presence鈥� 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 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 Tinubu: “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 Nigerian Government noted President Tinubu promised the citizens 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.

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