Saint Lucia Senate President Highlights Deep Nigerian Roots
The President of the Saint Lucian Senate, Alvina Reynolds, has underscored the profound ancestral links between Nigeria and Saint Lucia. Addressing a joint parliamentary session, she cited a 1815 British census showing that a significant majority of the island’s enslaved population had Nigerian origins.
Reynolds welcomed President Bola Tinubu, describing his visit as historic and a “mission to reunite us with our homeland.” She emphasized the unbreakable historical and cultural ties forged by the transatlantic slave trade between Africa and the Caribbean.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre echoed these sentiments, calling the visit a “moment of freedom and celebration.” He described Saint Lucia as a “small fragment of Africa” with an undeniable genetic Nigerian connection, despite the geographical separation.
Both leaders expressed keen interest in enhanced cooperation across various sectors, including tourism, air connectivity, and creative industries. They also highlighted the vital contributions of Nigerians in Saint Lucia, particularly in healthcare and social development, and discussed strengthening ties at the Africa-CARICOM summit.
