The President of the Saint Lucian Senate, Alvina Reynolds, has highlighted the deep ancestral connections between Nigeria and Saint Lucia during President Bola Tinubu's historic visit to the Caribbean nation on Monday.
Speaking at a joint session of the Saint Lucian bicameral parliament, Reynolds cited a British census conducted on the island in 1815 that revealed the significant Nigerian heritage of Saint Lucia's population.
"Of the 16,282 enslaved people in Saint Lucia that year, 3,488 were born in Africa. Of these, 34% were from Nigeria, 11% from Nigeria-Cameroon, and 22% from the Congo. The remaining 12,794 were born in Saint Lucia, with most of their forefathers coming from Senegambia and Nigeria," Reynolds stated.
Historical Ties Between Nations
Reynolds described President Tinubu's presence as "historic for this Parliament and the people of Saint Lucia," noting that the transatlantic slave trade, which lasted over 350 years, created an "unbreakable historical and cultural link between Africa and the Caribbean."
She characterized the Nigerian President's visit as rekindling "a mission to reunite us with our homeland and for our people to work together."
The Senate President also paid tribute to Sir Darnley Alexander, one of Saint Lucia's most distinguished sons, who traveled to Nigeria in 1957 and eventually became the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979—the only non-Nigerian to hold this prestigious position in Nigeria's post-independence history.
"This mission, Your Excellency, continues with Catholic priests from Nigeria who have answered the call and come to Saint Lucia to serve, one of whom is our special guest this morning, Father Festus," Reynolds added.
The timing of President Tinubu's address was particularly significant, as Reynolds noted: "Your address to this Parliament today could not have occurred at a more auspicious time, for today is World Parliament Day, an occasion to reflect on the essential role of Parliament and the service we provide as representatives to our people."
President Tinubu's visit to Saint Lucia marks another step in strengthening diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Caribbean nations with shared historical connections.
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