By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria was conferred with the prestigious title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), the Caribbean nation’s highest honor.
The conferment was announced in a press statement issued by the Government of Saint Lucia.
“The Government of Saint Lucia is pleased to announce that, the Governor General has conferred the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL) upon H. E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the country announced in an X post.
The award was presented during a joint session of Saint Lucia’s Senate and House of Assembly at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, attended by over 300 guests, including leaders from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), members of the diplomatic corps, and the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia.
The New Diplomat reports that this comes after Tinubu arrived in the country on Saturday to kick off a two-nation diplomatic tour of the Caribbean and South America.
The president had earlier addressed a special joint session of the Senate and the House of Assembly of Saint Lucia.
He said he held the view that Africans and people of African origins everywhere have a shared destiny and must work together towards a glorious future.
“My visit to Saint Lucia is in keeping with the ideal of building the bridge between Africa and the Caribbean and creating a pathway to deepen economic ties and foster cooperation. It also reflects our desire as a people to advance prosperity, sustainable development, and strengthen familial bonds,” he said.
“Nigeria and the island of Saint Lucia are bound by history, culture, and common aspirations. Our administration is determined to nurture and expand bilateral relations on trade, investment, tourism, education, and cultural exchange, as well as improve consular services for the citizens of both our nations.”
