By Kolawole Ojebisi
Barring last minute’s alteration of his itinerary, President Bola Tinubu is expected to leave the shores of Nigeria for the lush ambience of St. Lucia for official engagements and private leisure time on June 28.
According to St. Lucia Local Media, the Caribbean Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, announced the trip at a pre-cabinet press briefing on Tuesday.
“Two of these days, June 30 and July 1, will be dedicated to an official visit, with the remainder of the trip set aside as a personal vacation for the president,” the prime minister said.
“I believe that the visit of the president of Nigeria represents a unique and historic opportunity to deepen the bonds between Africa and the Caribbean.
“As descendants of a shared heritage, the people of our region trace deep links to the African continent, particularly Nigeria.
“These long-standing cultural and historical connections compel us to continue nurturing and expanding our partnerships with Africa in ways that are meaningful, strategic and sustainable.”
Pierre said he has extended invitations to all heads of government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to visit Saint Lucia during the official leg of Tinubu’s trip for formal talks.
The OECS comprises Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—all small island states.
Pierre further revealed that during Tinubu’s visit there’ll be discussions to explore avenues for cooperation in economic development, education, infrastructure, and diplomatic exchange.
Tinubu’s planned visit to St. Lucia is coming weeks after he travelled to Paris for a two-week “short working visit”.
The Paris “working visit” in April attracted deluge of criticisms from key opposition figures who described the travel as “insensitive junketing” as it coincided with a time when some states were witnessing wanton killings from bandits and allied insurgent groups.
This latest trip to the Caribbean Island comes amid growing outrage in Nigeria over a spike in deadly violence that left nearly 200 people dead in Benue on June 14.
