Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip Pierre, has condemned criticism of the recent visit by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the detractors as exhibiting the destructive legacies of slavery and self-hatred.
Speaking during the 2025 Emancipation Day commemoration in Castries on August 1, Pierre described the backlash as “shameful and disgraceful,” asserting that it undermined African pride and unity.
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Pierre said the visit represented a historic reaffirmation of shared identity and a step towards strengthening diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between Saint Lucia and Nigeria. He emphasised that the enduring bonds shaped by a shared past should inspire cooperation rather than division.
“The vilification and denigration of the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, by a politically motivated group, tacitly supported by the opposition party, was another demonstration of the harmful effects of the legacy of slavery: self-hate and a readiness to accept African people and their descendants as inferior. That behaviour was nothing short of shameful and disgraceful. Had the visit been by a Head of State from another country, the reception from that group would have been at the very least respectful,” he said.
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He reaffirmed Saint Lucia’s commitment to building strong diplomatic and economic relations with Nigeria and the broader African continent, noting that several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed during the visit.
The Prime Minister also said the government and people of Saint Lucia were deeply honoured by the visit of President Tinubu.
“To the government and people of the Republic of Nigeria, the government and people of Saint Lucia have been honoured by the visit of your President and look forward to establishing and deepening economic, social and cultural ties with your country,” he said.
“I am pleased that during the visit of the President and his delegation, several memorandum of understanding (MOUs) were established for fostering economic, social, educational and cultural relations with Saint Lucia and the OECS. My administration will do its best to ensure that those MOUs bear fruit at the earliest opportunity.”
2025 Emancipation Day
The event marked the 191st anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Saint Lucia. Pierre used the occasion to call on citizens to confront the lingering effects of colonialism and embrace a renewed vision of African unity, social transformation, and national pride.
“As we honour the sacred memory of our ancestors… we are not only looking back—we are reaching forward,” he declared.
He acknowledged that while progress had been made since 1834, the psychological trauma and systemic barriers rooted in slavery still hinder the development of individuals and communities.
Pierre cautioned that remnants of colonial values—particularly internalised inferiority and division—remain evident in modern society.
“There remain, sadly, a few among us who have yet to understand and appreciate the need to lift our people from self-doubt and the harmful effects of colonial values,” he added.
PIAK