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President Bola Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Saturday for the first leg of his two-part trip to the Caribbean and South America.
This was contained in a statement shared by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, to reporters in Abuja.
Upon landing at Hewanorra International Airport, the President received full military honors and was welcomed by Saint Lucia's Governor-General, Cyril Charles, and Prime Minister Philip Pierre.
Onanuga mentioned that Tinubu would formally commence his state visit on Sunday with courtesy meetings with both the governor-general and the prime minister.
Additionally, “On Monday, he will deliver a speech to a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, in Gros Islet.”
The spokesperson stated that the event would be attended by Heads of Government from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) along with prominent officials from Saint Lucia. Other participants will include members of the diplomatic community, the Nigerian diaspora in Saint Lucia, and the OECS Director-General, Dr. Didacus Jules.
After the parliamentary session, Tinubu is expected to host a high-level working luncheon with OECS leaders to discuss enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS, particularly regarding economic collaboration and cultural exchange.
The Nigerian leader is also set to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to promote academic partnerships and strengthen educational ties between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
Tinubu’s visit underscores Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to enhancing diplomatic and economic relations with Caribbean countries. Following his engagements in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will head to Brazil for the 2025 BRICS Summit, scheduled for Rio de Janeiro from July 6 to July 7.
He is attending the BRICS summit at the invitation of Brazilian President Lula da Silva due to Nigeria’s status as a ‘partner country’.
The 17th BRICS Summit will concentrate on “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” with discussions prioritizing global cooperation among the South and BRICS partnerships aimed at social, economic, and environmental development.
