- Tinubu to Nigerians in Saint Lucia: Obey the Law, Represent Nigeria Well
- Abike Dabiri-Erewa Organised the session that bring Nigerian professionals and students together to meet the president
- Tinubu commended Nigerians living in Saint Lucia for their positive reputation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has held a second round of meetings with Nigerians residing in Saint Lucia, assuring them of diplomatic efforts to address some of their concerns.
Eko Hot Blog reports the first meeting took place Tuesday night at the official residence of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre. On Wednesday, the president again engaged with the Nigerian community, this time at the Windjammer Resort, where he is staying during his state visit.
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The sessions were organized by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who brought together Nigerian professionals and students living in the Caribbean nation.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed pride in the contributions Nigerians are making in Saint Lucia and encouraged them to maintain ties with their home country. She also thanked President Tinubu for prioritizing the diaspora engagement.
During the interaction, Smart Okeudili Duah, President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), highlighted key challenges faced by Nigerians in the country—particularly the high annual cost of work permits, currently pegged at $2,500.
He also appealed to the president to establish a Nigerian diplomatic mission in Saint Lucia, a request Tinubu affirmed is already under consideration.
Also present at the meeting was Father Festus Iwuagwu, a Nigerian Catholic priest based in Saint Lucia, who said the strong turnout reflected the respect and admiration Nigerians have for President Tinubu.
Dr. Olugbemisola Ogunlusi, a paediatrician who relocated to Saint Lucia after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, also shared her appreciation for the president’s visit.
She and her husband moved to the country 19 years ago and raised children who are now medical doctors. Her husband has since returned to Nigeria and currently serves as the chief medical director of one of the newly established federal medical centres.
“Since you arrived, you have propagated Nigeria more than ever thought”, she told President Tinubu. She wished President Tinubu a safe journey home.
Tinubu commended Nigerians living in Saint Lucia for their positive reputation, noting that his hosts had spoken highly of their conduct and character.
He encouraged them to remain exemplary and continue serving as good ambassadors of Nigeria.
He said, “My plea to you all: continue to be of good behaviour, don’t break the law.”
Sharing his personal experience as a student in the United States over five decades ago, President Tinubu encouraged Nigerians in Saint Lucia to stay focused, remain diligent, and continue working hard to achieve success.
“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”.
President Tinubu assured the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia that his administration would address some of the challenges they raised through diplomatic channels.
He also briefed them ongoing efforts by his government to restore economic stability and foster national development
“We inherited a country that was near bankruptcy. But we have been able to rescue the economy. Nigeria has recovered. We have made the smuggling of our oil unattractive. We have stopped chasing forex papers at the Central Bank of Nigeria”, he said.
The president acknowledged that Nigeria’s per capita income remains low but emphasized that his administration is actively working to improve it through various economic reforms.
At the close of the meeting, the Nigerian community presented the President with a portrait in his likeness, created by Doris, a talented medical student and artist living in Saint Lucia.
