President Bola Tinubu has called on Africans and people of African descent across the globe to unite in building a future anchored on promise, honour, and dignity for the black race.
Tinubu made the appeal on Tuesday night during a dinner hosted in his honour by Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip Pierre, in Castries.
According to a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga and shared with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, the President urged Africans in the Diaspora to embrace technology and innovation as tools for driving meaningful social change.
“It’s not the fault of our forebears that we find ourselves dispersed. We can work together, be together, enjoy what we have, and build a future of promise, honour, and dignity for the Black race,” Tinubu said.
“I’m unapologetically Afrocentric in my belief. I’ve travelled far and wide, and no one is as industrious, determined and focused as the black people worldwide.”
He emphasised the need for synergy between Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora, particularly through industrialisation and technological collaboration.
“All I can promise you, as a man from the largest Black nation in the world, is that we will work hard. One out of every five Black nationals is a Nigerian,” he added.
“Industrialisation and technology are making life easier, and we have to work together to make our people proud today, tomorrow and thereafter.”
Prime Minister Pierre congratulated Tinubu on receiving the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), an honour reserved for those who have rendered exceptional service of national importance to the island nation.
“This honour is very well deserved. Our engagement with you over the past few days convinced us you deserve that honour. May you cherish it as much as we cherish your presence, and may it bring you fond memories of your historic visit to Saint Lucia, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS as a whole,” Pierre said.
He welcomed members of the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia and commended their successful integration into the local society.
Pierre also recalled the historic contribution of Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979.
“We keep repeating that story because we are proud of it, because the story must be told and passed on to succeeding generations,” he noted.
According to the statement, members of the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, some of whom have lived there for over three decades, attended the dinner.
At the close of the event, Tinubu met with them personally, offering handshakes and words of encouragement.
(NAN)