Saint Lucia confers highest nationwide honour on Tinubu

Saint Lucia has conferred its highest nationwide honour, Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), on President Bola Tinubu, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen the historic and cultural bonds between Africa and the Caribbean.

The formal investiture was carried out by the Governor-Normal of Saint Lucia, Errol Charles, on Monday night time on the official reception for President Tinubu on the Authorities Home, Morne Fortune, Saint Lucia.

President Tinubu, who will now add the honorific of Sir to his quite a few titles, expressed deep appreciation to the federal government and folks of Saint Lucia for the honour.

President Tinubu, on a state go to to the Caribbean nation, stated he was humbled to obtain the honour. He famous that the popularity symbolised a deepening of historic and cultural connections between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.

He pledged to strengthen the ties between Nigeria and the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) member states.

“I’m right here as one in all you representing that historic journey taken by our forebears, the historical past that we can’t reserve, however are ready for progressive understanding.

“I’m vastly honoured, on behalf of my nation, on behalf of almost 220 million folks in Nigeria, to face earlier than you to thanks very a lot. I got here right here as a president, however I’m leaving as a knight,” President Tinubu stated.

President Tinubu described the expertise as “thrilling and thrilling,” praising the heat and generosity of the Saint Lucian folks.

“It can’t be extra thrilling, extra thrilling, and welcoming than that. You’re nice folks. I thank the Prime Minister and His Excellency the Governor-Normal for seeing me worthy of this honour and knighthood.

Reflecting on his earlier deal with to the Saint Lucian Parliament on Monday, President Tinubu reaffirmed his dedication to deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS.

“I addressed the Parliament earlier at this time. I made some guarantees to boost our connectivity and enterprise alternatives, foster creativity in our future collectively, and assist us overcome the legacy of our forebears’ years of separation.

“To see that we are able to resume cultural exchanges and imagine in financial growth is a duty that we should reside as much as,” he stated.

Highlighting the trade of the African and Caribbean peoples, the President burdened that each areas should proceed to work collectively in pursuit of prosperity.

“The black race will not be lazy. We’re hardworking and sincere folks. Given the chance, we are able to excel. We imagine life itself has given us what we want.

“Now we have no trigger to remorse, and we now have each motive to have a good time life, alternative, and excellence. I come from a rustic the place the individuals are extremely hardworking and democratic in each facet. We’re good at agriculture and buying and selling.

The Governor-Normal defined that with the investiture, the Nigerian chief will now be referred to as “Sir Bola Ahmed Tinubu, KCOSL (Hon.) President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

In line with the Governor-Normal, the nationwide honour acknowledges President Tinubu’s management on the African continent and his ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

It additionally displays Saint Lucia’s appreciation for President Tinubu’s dedication to fostering cooperation throughout key areas of mutual curiosity, together with commerce and funding, local weather resilience, healthcare, schooling, and cultural change.

He added that the honour affirms a shared imaginative and prescient for international South solidarity, rooted in historic connection and future collaboration.

Describing Tinubu’s go to to the nation as historic, Erron mirrored on the transatlantic previous that connects each peoples.

“At present is a historic event for us, significantly for our many St. Lucian brothers and sisters, whose ancestors had been rudely torn from their tribal homelands in Africa and deposited on these shores centuries in the past.

“Deeper than the bonds of friendship is that deep kindred spirit transplanted generations in the past in these islands, that elevates your go to to the standing of a visiting relative, with all accompanying pleasure and goodness that such uncommon occasions permit,” he stated.

Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, praised the Nigerian chief for accepting the best honour and reinforcing the ties that unite Nigeria and the member states of the OECS.

“For St. Lucia and the OECS, a part of our heritage lies in Africa, and we’re happy with it. We need to develop it and be sure that the folks of those two areas get nearer collectively, as a result of Africa and the area may be one and should be one.

“We’re simply eight hours away from Africa. Now we have to ascertain hyperlinks in order that our folks can know what is occurring within the motherland, and we are able to benefit from the fruits of what Africa has produced.

“So, Excellency, I need to thanks once more. I need to inform you that we’re very appreciative and look ahead to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the folks of Nigeria, the folks of St. Lucia, and the folks of the OECS,” he stated.