The Government of Saint Lucia has announced the itinerary for the official visit of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from June 28 to July 4.
According to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Janelle Modeste-Stephen, the week-long visit seeks to strengthen bilateral ties between Saint Lucia and Nigeria, while also deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the wider OECS region in key areas such as culture, energy and finance.
“It’s an opportune moment to work on these relations between the two countries,” said Modeste-Stephen. “Given the history between ourselves and Africa, it’s about time that we really push this forward.”
Tinubu is expected to arrive on Saturday, June 28, and will begin official engagements the following day with courtesy calls on the Governor General Sir Cyril Charles and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
A special joint sitting of the Senate and House of Assembly will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30, at Sandals Grande. Tinubu, Pierre, the president of the Senate, and the speaker of the House are all expected to deliver remarks. That afternoon, a high-level working luncheon will bring together the Nigerian President and Heads of Government from OECS member states.
The day will conclude with an official reception at Government House, where both President Tinubu and the Governor General will address invited guests.
On Tuesday, July 1, President Tinubu will engage with students and faculty during a cultural and educational exchange at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. Later that evening, he will attend a private reception hosted by the prime minister, where members of Saint Lucia’s Nigerian community will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the president and his delegation.
Tinubu is expected to spend the final two days of his visit in private engagements before departing Saint Lucia on July 4.
Officials have advised the public to anticipate temporary traffic disruptions and road closures from June 28 to July 4 due to the scale of the visiting delegation, which is expected to include a convoy of at least 25 vehicles. A rehearsal-of-concept drill on Friday, June 27, may also cause delays along designated routes.
Traffic disruptions are expected along the Vieux Fort–Castries Highway, Nelson Mandela Drive, the John Compton Highway, Sir Julian R. Hunte Highway, Jeremie Street, Manoel Street, La Toc Road, Morne Road, the Morne Fortune area, Vigie and the Pigeon Island Causeway.
“We’re really asking that persons bear with us… it’s only for a few days and not all day,” said Modeste-Stephen. “There will be a few peak times during the day where there’ll be a little more traffic than usual.”
Additionally, both the George F.L. Charles and Hewanorra International Airports will experience a one-hour closure to accommodate security and logistical requirements related to the president’s arrival and departure. Tinubu is expected to arrive at Hewanorra International Airport and be transferred to Castries via helicopter.
The Government urges motorists and commuters to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes where possible.
Pure nonsense. When those here go on visits overseas they are afforded no such treatment. I’ve seen them at the airports and arrival lounges just like any ordinary persons. Yet they bend over backward when those people come here. Flights cancelled, money lost. St. Lucia is truly a circus masquerading as a country.
All the Nigerian Juju will not save you all. Turn to Nigeria when it cannot save itself. Smh!
All these …. for what? People are gonna suffer waiting in traffic. What is the country going to gain from this?
Is Tinubu (the primary US vassal in West Africa) visiting St. Lucia in preliminary search of safe haven from the rising anti-colonial revolutionary conflagration sparked by Traore? Burkinabe citizens are thrilled that their revolutionary leader has taken great strides to use Burkina Faso’s natural wealth for the development of its people, instead of having it siphoned off by France.
Tinubu now faces extreme questioning from Nigerians regarding how, for decades, the profits from Nigerian oil wealth have benefited western corporations & Nigerian politicians instead of being used to improve the living standards of regular Nigerians.
My informed opinion tells me that he is now the latest black face (after Kagame) commissioned by the real owners of the US to secure their interests in the Caribbean, now that the world is seeing the US for what it is: an toothless paper tiger facing the ever-strengthening BRICS cohorts.
But it was ok with y’all when the so called “Royals” yes Elizabeth, Phillip, Ann, Marguerite, and if I am mistaken, I believe Sophie and Edward was here not too long ago. For all these years did y’all receive anything from them? Don’t forget Bill Clinton was here as well. Will it hurt if a “brother” comes to visit? Were there any noise when they visited or expected to visit? Mental slavery. Some of you writing an entire encyclopedia ok display your intellect fool. The hypocrisy I find it fascinating. Welcome to SLU OGA!