President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged Nigerians living in Saint Lucia to be good ambassadors of their country by being law-abiding and of exemplary behaviour during his recent visit to the Carribean country.
Speaking during an interactive session at the official residence of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, President Tinubu said: “My plea to you all: continue to be of good behaviour; don’t break the law.”
Sharing his experience as a student in the United States five decades ago, the President encouraged Nigerians in Saint Lucia to remain focused and work hard.
“Life is about working hard and 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.”
Father Festus Iwuagwu, a Nigerian priest resident in Saint Lucia, said the large turnout at the meeting demonstrated Nigerians’ love and respect for President Tinubu.
Dr. Olugbemisola Ogunlusi, a paediatrician who moved to Saint Lucia after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, expressed her delight at President Tinubu’s visit. Ogunlusi and her husband migrated to Saint Lucia 19 years ago and raised children who are now medical doctors. Her husband has since returned to Nigeria and was appointed Chief Medical Director of one of the new Federal Medical Centres.
“Since you arrived, you have promoted Nigeria more than we ever imagined,” she told President Tinubu, wishing him a safe journey back home.
President Tinubu said that, based on what his hosts told him, Nigerians in Saint Lucia have demonstrated good character and urged them to continue to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who organised the meeting, invited various Nigerian professionals and students living in Saint Lucia. Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria is proud of the contributions Nigerians are making in Saint Lucia and urged them not to forget home. She thanked President Tinubu for honouring the gathering with his presence.
Smart Okeudili Duah, President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), informed the President of some of the challenges Nigerians face in Saint Lucia, particularly the high cost of work permits, which is $2,500 per year. He also appealed to the President to establish a diplomatic presence in Saint Lucia as a matter of urgency — a plan President Tinubu confirmed he is committed to.
The President used the occasion to brief the Nigerians about his administration’s efforts to restore economic stability at home.
“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.
President Tinubu added that although Nigeria’s per capita income remains low, his administration is working hard to improve it.
At the end of the session, the Nigerians presented the President with a portrait of himself made by Doris, a Nigerian medical student and artist.
