CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — St Lucia’s Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre says the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, is to pay a weeklong visit to the island later this month.

Pierre told reporters that the visit will be from June 28 to July 4 and will include both official engagements and private leisure time.

“Two of these days, June 30 and July 1, will be dedicated to an official visit, with the remainder of the trip set aside as a personal vacation for the president,” Pierre told reporters, adding “I believe that the visit of the President of Nigeria represents a unique and historic opportunity to deepen the bonds between Africa and the Caribbean.”

“As descendants of a shared heritage, the people of our region trace deep links to the African continent, particularly Nigeria. These long-standing cultural and historical connections compel us to continue nurturing and expanding our partnerships with Africa in ways that are meaningful, strategic and sustainable,” Pierre added.

He said he had also extended an invitation to the leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to visit St Lucia during Tinubu’s visit for formal talks exploring avenues for cooperation in areas such as economic development, education, infrastructure and diplomatic exchange.

The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla.