- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian community in Saint Lucia has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish diplomatic presence in the Caribbean country and also intervene in the reduction in cost of the country’s work permit.
Smart Okeudili Duah, President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, (NIDO) made the plea during Tinubu’s second meeting with the Nigerian community on Wednesday at the Windjammer Resort, his abode during his state visit.
As contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Okeudili informed the Nigerian leader of some of the problems Nigerians are encountering, particularly the cost of a work permit, which is $2,500 yearly.
He also urged the President to establish a diplomatic presence in Saint Lucia as urgently as possible, a plan Tinubu has already committed to.
For the second day’s interaction with community, Tinubu promised to resolve some of the issues raised by the Nigerians diplomatically.
The meeting with the President was organised by NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, with various Nigerian professionals and students living in Saint Lucia invited.
Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria is proud of what Nigerians contribute to Saint Lucia and hopes they will remember home.
She thanked President Tinubu for coming to the meeting.
In his remark, Father Festus Iwuagwu, a Nigerian priest resident in Saint Lucia, said the high turnout at the meeting indicated Nigerians’ love and respect for President Tinubu.
Doctor Olugbemisola Ogunlusi, who moved to Saint Lucia after graduating as a paediatrician at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, said she was happy President Tinubu visited Saint Lucia.
Ogunlusi and her husband migrated to the country 19 years ago and raised children who are medical doctors.
However, her husband returned home and appointed the chief medical director of one of the new federal medical centres.
“Since you arrived, you have propagated Nigeria more than ever thought”, she told Tinubu while wishing him a safe journey home.
In his remark Tinubu said that, based on what his hosts told him, Nigerians in Saint Lucia have demonstrated good character.
He urged them to continue to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.
“My plea to you all: continue to be of good behaviour, don’t break the law.” He said.
Sharing his experience as a student in the United States five decades ago, the President urged the Saint Lucian Nigerians to remain focused and work hard.
“Life is about working hard, being consistent,
“For the professionals living here, our government will not abandon you. But you must work hard. It is our job to help you succeed.” He said.
Tinubu promised to resolve some of the issues diplomatically.
He also informed Nigerians about his government’s efforts to restore economic stability.
“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.
Tinubu stated that although Nigeria’s per capita income is low, his administration is working to improve it.
The Nigerians gifted the President a portrait in his image, made by Doris, a medical student and artist.