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Saint Lucia Confers Highest National Honour, Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia, On Tinubu

Saint Lucia Confers Highest National Honour, Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia, On Tinubu

* President pledges to strengthen ties between Nigeria and Eastern Caribbean member-states

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

Saint Lucia has conferred its highest national honour, Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), on President Bola Tinubu, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen the historical and cultural bonds between Africa and the Caribbean.

According to a release issued on Tuesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the formal investiture was performed by the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Errol Charles, Monday night at the official reception for President Tinubu at the Government House, Morne Fortune, Saint Lucia.

President Tinubu, who will now add the honorific of Sir to his numerous titles, expressed deep appreciation to the government and people of Saint Lucia for the honour.

President Tinubu, on a state visit to the Caribbean nation, said he was humbled to receive the honour, noting that the recognition symbolised a deepening of historic and cultural connections between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.

He pledged to strengthen the ties between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member states.

“I am here as one of you representing that historical journey taken by our forebears, the history that we cannot reserve, but are prepared for progressive understanding.

“I am greatly honoured, on behalf of my country, on behalf of nearly 220 million people in Nigeria, to stand before you to thank you very much. I came here as a president, but I’m leaving as a knight,” the president said.

President Tinubu described the experience as “thrilling and exciting,” praising the warmth and generosity of the Saint Lucian people.

His words: “It cannot be more thrilling, more exciting and welcoming than that. You are great people. I thank the Prime Minister and His Excellency the Governor-General for seeing me worthy of this honour and knighthood.”

Reflecting on his earlier address to the Saint Lucian Parliament on Monday, the president reaffirmed his commitment to deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS.

According to him, “I addressed the Parliament earlier today. I made some promises to enhance our connectivity and business opportunities, foster creativity in our future together, and help us overcome the legacy of our forebears’ years of separation.

“To see that, we can resume cultural exchanges and believe in economic development is a responsibility that we must live up to.”

Highlighting the industry of the African and Caribbean people, President Tinubu stressed that both regions must continue to work together in pursuit of prosperity.

“The black race is not lazy. We are hardworking and honest people. Given the opportunity, we can excel. We believe life itself has given us what we need.

“We have no cause to regret, and we have every reason to celebrate life, opportunity and excellence. I come from a country where the people are incredibly hardworking and democratic in every aspect. We are good at agriculture and trading,” he said.

In his speech, the Governor-General explained that with the investiture, the Nigerian leader will now be known as “Sir Bola Ahmed Tinubu, KCOSL (Hon.) President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

According to him, the national honour acknowledged President Tinubu’s leadership on the African continent and his ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

It also reflected Saint Lucia’s appreciation for President Tinubu’s commitment to fostering cooperation across key areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, climate resilience, healthcare, education and cultural exchange.

He added that the honour affirmed a shared vision for global South solidarity, rooted in historical connection and future collaboration.

Describing Tinubu’s visit to the country as historic, Erron Charles reflected on the transatlantic past that connects both people.

“Today is a historic occasion for us, particularly for our many St. Lucian brothers and sisters, whose ancestors were rudely torn from their tribal homelands in Africa and deposited on these shores centuries ago.

“Deeper than the bonds of friendship is that deep kindred spirit transplanted generations ago in these islands, that elevates your visit to the status of a visiting relative, with all accompanying joy and goodness that such rare events allow,” he said.

Also speaking, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, praised the Nigerian leader for accepting the highest honour and reinforcing the ties that unite Nigeria and the member states of the OECS.

He said: “For St. Lucia and the OECS, part of our heritage lies in Africa, and we are proud of it. We want to develop it and ensure that the people of these two regions get closer together, because Africa and the region can be one and must be one.

“We are just eight hours away from Africa. We have to establish links so that our people can know what is happening in the motherland, and we can enjoy the fruits of what Africa has produced.

“So, Excellency, I want to thank you again. I want to tell you that we are very appreciative and look forward to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the people of Nigeria, the people of St. Lucia, and the people of the OECS.”

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* President pledges to strengthen ties between Nigeria and Eastern Caribbean member-states Deji Elumoye in Abuja  Saint Lucia has conferred its highest national honour, Knight Commander of the Order of

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Group Tasks Kogi Gov on the Rescue of Kidnapped 72-year-old Farmer

Group Tasks Kogi Gov on the Rescue of Kidnapped 72-year-old Farmer

A non-profit, non-partisan organisation based in Kogi State, Yagba Action Group (YAG),  has made passionate call on Governor  Usman Ododo to rescue a prominent livestock farmer, Chief Ajayi Bello,  who was kidnapped about two weeks ago. 

 Bello, aged 72, is Chairman, Kogi State Poultry Association, by extension Poultry Association of Nigeria. 

His abduction from his farm in Ponyan, Yagba East Local Council in Kogi State, has  sent shockwaves to the agricultural community in Nigeria as he has remained in the kidnappers’ den with the government not  making enough efforts to rescue him.

However, YAG, in a  statement  yesterday signed by its chairman, Tunde Olusunle, an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja, said that the federal and state governments, have repeatedly failed Nigerians, whose minimum desire is round-the-clock security to enable them pursue their vocations.

YAG expressed fears about the sad reality of what it termed the “systematic and well organised plan by Fulani, funded by faceless agents to displace Yagba and Okun people and takeover their land. 

The group further stated that keeping a man of 72years whose family confirmed is both diabetic and tending to prostate issues for this long is most disheartening. They consider the continuing detention of Ajayi Bello by his abductors wicked, while calling out the Kogi State government for unimaginable inertia.

The group expressed deep concern about the safety and security of the septuagenarian farmer, contending that Kogi State governor,  Ododo, and agents of government can no longer keep sealed lips, and must expedite action to rescue the senior citizen. 

YAG added  that failure of government to protect or take the appropriate actions in situations like this erodes the confidence of the citizenry who have dedicated their lives to serving the nation.

“That he remains in captivity two weeks after his abduction, with seemingly little effort from the government to secure his release, is a reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities to banditry and kidnapping,” the group said.

It  echoed the voices of concerned farmers in the region who have alleged they have yet to read any official release from the Kogi State Commissioner of Agriculture, the Minister of Agriculture, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) or even the Livestock Farmers’ Associations, on the development.

Ajayi Bello retired from Guinness Nigeria Ltd, a foremost Nigerian beverage production concern about a decade ago, and returned to his birthplace, Ponyan, where he established an ultramodern livestock business. It has been suggested, that the enterprise engages about 200 casual workers who mostly harvest and sort eggs from the project. Bello’s clientele extends beyond Kogi State, to neighbouring Kwara, Ekiti and Ondo states.

In a related development, Dayo Thomas, a senior journalist and farmer from Yagba, in a statement trending on the social media titled “ Community in Crisis: Why Kidnapped Farmer, Chief Ajayi Bello Needs National Attention,” has warned Nigerian authorities that Pa Bello’s abduction has far-reaching implications for the agricultural sector in Nigeria. 

According to him,  “Chief Bello’s abduction is not just a local issue. It has far-reaching implications for the agricultural sector in Nigeria. As a prominent figure in the industry, his safety and security are crucial to maintaining the confidence of farmers and investors. The thought of his community, Ponyan, and surrounding areas living in fear and anxiety, hesitant to tend to their farms, is a dire prospect. How can we tackle food insecurity when farmers and their crops are no longer safe? I urge the government to take immediate action to address the security challenges facing rural communities.” 

Continuing, Thomas noted: “Farmers are the backbone of our economy, and it is the government’s responsibility to protect them. We need to rethink security in our villages and communities, which practically feed our urban centres. What plan does government at all levels have for farmers kidnapped from their farms or whose crops have been destroyed? The answer to these questions will determine the future of agriculture in Nigeria. The kidnapping of Chief Ajayi Bello is a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector. We must come together to demand action from the government to ensure the safety and security of farmers and their crops.” The fate of food security and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians depend on the sustenance of a convenient atmosphere for agriculture, crop or pastoral, Thomas noted.

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A non-profit, non-partisan organisation based in Kogi State, Yagba Action Group (YAG),  has made passionate call on Governor  Usman Ododo to rescue a prominent livestock farmer, Chief Ajayi Bello,  who was kidnapped about