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Tinubu woos East Caribbean states to invest in Nigeria
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President Bola Tinubu addressing a special joint sitting of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, on Monday.
President Bola Tinubu has called on the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to take advantage of ‘Africa’s largest market’ and invest in Nigeria.
The president described Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s booming market and urged the island nations to deepen trade, joint ventures and investment ties.
Tinubu made the call on Monday while addressing a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia.
This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said that the president advocated partnerships in agriculture, manufacturing, and services that would position Nigeria as both a supplier and a destination for OECS exports.
“When I assumed the Office of the President of Nigeria in May 2023, my administration embarked on a series of economic, political and social reforms for sustainable growth and development.
“It is in line with this orientation and to explore areas of cooperation that I decided to undertake this state visit to Saint Lucia.
“In this spirit, I wish to express Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the OECS in mutual interest, including trade, investment, health, culture, education, and climate resilience,” Tinubu said.
He emphasised Nigeria’s vast natural resources and large consumer base as assets the OECS can leverage for exports and strategic partnerships.
“Together, we can leverage our respective strengths to attract investment, create jobs, and foster joint ventures that benefit both our peoples.”
The president used the occasion to formally announce the establishment of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, calling it a “symbolic bridge” for deeper engagement.
“A symbolic bridge that will provide a gateway in fostering closer ties between both countries”, Tinubu added
He proposed a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement to serve as a structured framework for future cooperation.
To strengthen cultural ties, the presidential aide said that President Tinubu offered full scholarships to students from OECS nations to study in Nigeria.
“I respectfully urge a reciprocal gesture to enable smoother movement of officials and foster closer institutional cooperation.”
He announced Nigeria’s willingness to grant visa waivers for OECS diplomatic and official passport holders.
Tinubu also highlighted shared historical and cultural bonds between Nigeria and Caribbean nations rooted in African heritage and Pan-African ideals.
“Currents shaped by the transatlantic slave trade and colonial subjugation…out of which emerged a shared cultural identity, resilience, and aspiration.
“This occasion serves as a testament to the enduring ideals of Pan-Africanism…among peoples of African descent.”
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding ties with the OECS as a “cherished partner” in Africa’s broader global engagement.
We remain committed to strengthening and expanding the enduring bonds of friendship that unite our regions.”
The president proposed a maritime university collaboration and the extension of Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) to OECS countries.
“I strongly advocate for educational exchange programmes between Nigerian and OECS maritime universities to foster mutual understanding and academic collaboration.”
Addressing climate challenges, Tinubu called for joint research on disaster preparedness, sustainable agriculture, and adaptation strategies.
Reiterating Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy, Tinubu underlined Nigeria’s legacy in Pan-African advocacy and support for global Black solidarity.
“Our foreign policy remains unapologetically Afrocentric.”
Nigeria has long stood at the vanguard of advocacy for the dignity and advancement of Black people worldwide.”
“This was evident from its strong opposition to colonialism and racial injustice to its leadership in the Pan-African movement,” Tinubu said.
He highlighted Nigeria’s cultural richness in music, fashion, cuisine, Nollywood, and literature, calling it Africa’s creative heart.
According to Onanuga, over 300 attendees, including diplomats, officials, and members of the Nigerian community, were present during Tinubu’s address.
(NAN)
By Gloria Ikibah
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament will this week begin deliberations on strategies to position Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as key drivers of regional value chains, as part of efforts to boost economic integration and expand opportunities for businesses across West Africa.
The discussions will take place during a delocalised meeting of the Parliament’s Joint Committee on Industry and Private Sector; Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research; Administration, Finance and Budget; and Public Accounts, scheduled to hold in Cotonou, Benin Republic, from 27 to 31 July 2026.
The meeting will focus on the theme, “Empowering MSMEs as Formal Drivers of ECOWAS Regional Value Chains,” reflecting growing recognition of the critical role small businesses play in the region’s economy.
According to a media advisory issued by the Communications Directorate of the ECOWAS Parliament on 21 July 2026, “The ECOWAS Parliament is holding the delocalized Meeting of the Joint Committee on Industry and Private Sector | Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research | Administration, Finance and Budget | Public Accounts, on the theme ‘Empowering MSMEs as Formal Drivers of ECOWAS Regional Value Chains.’”
The meeting comes at a time when policymakers across West Africa are seeking practical ways to unlock the economic potential of MSMEs, which remain the backbone of the region’s private sector.
A United Nations policy brief on the subject indicates that MSMEs account for more than 90 per cent of all businesses and provide about half of total employment across ECOWAS member states. Despite their importance, many of these enterprises continue to operate outside the formal economy and face significant obstacles, including limited access to finance, weak infrastructure and barriers to cross-border trade.
Lawmakers are expected to examine these challenges and develop recommendations aimed at integrating MSMEs more effectively into regional value chains, improving their competitiveness and enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.
Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed claims that the Mexican government rejected his diplomatic appointment, attributing his delayed resumption instead to the ongoing FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by Mexico and the United States.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today last Monday, the former presidential aide said the delay was due to logistical and diplomatic considerations linked to the global football tournament, stressing that he was not the only Nigerian envoy yet to assume duty. Omokri said reports suggesting that Mexico had declined to accept him as Nigeria’s ambassador were false and were being promoted by political opponents.
“Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all,” he said.Politics He explained that the Mexican government is currently focused on hosting the World Cup alongside the United States, leaving little room to process the arrival of new diplomats. “You should understand that Mexico is right now hosting the World Cup, along with the United States of America, and all of their focus is on that,” Omokri stated.
According to him, several Nigerian ambassadors-designate are also yet to resume at their respective postings for similar reasons.Executive Branch “Most of us ambassadors have not resumed. So, I’m not the only one. A lot of my colleagues are in my situation, but it’s okay. These things happen,” he said. The ambassador-designate also accused members of the opposition of spreading misleading narratives about his appointment, insisting that such claims have no basis in reality. “The opposition will always say things like I have been rejected. We do not work on the basis of the opposition. We work on the basis of reality,” he said.
Omokri expressed confidence that Nigeria continues to enjoy cordial diplomatic relations with countries around the world and maintained that host nations would receive Nigerian envoys in due course. “The reality of it is that we have countries in the world that respect Nigeria, and they’re going to be taking Nigeria’s envoys,” he added.
A young Nigerian girl who was trafficked to Cotonou, Benin Republice for prostitution has d!ed.
Sewuese passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026 in Benue State after she was brought home.
Activist, Zege Orkwande, who has been facilitating the rescue of trafficked Benue girls said investigation is ongoing and those who trafficked her will face the full wrath of law.
“People are asking “who took Sewuese to Cotonou”. Trust my process,” he wrote.
“The people that trafficked/smuggled her to Cotonou for prostitution will sure face the law and serve in prison uniform.
“All information gathered. I’m waiting for her to be buried first. REST WELL.”
ECOWAS Parliament Moves to Strengthen MSMEs as Pillars of Regional Trade
Ambassador Omokri Amid Rejection Rumours Says World Cup Cause of his delayed resumption
Sad: Young Nigerian reportedly trafficked for commercial s*x dies after rescue
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