By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

?Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip Pierre has condemned what he calls politically motivated criticism of President Bola Tinubu?s June visit, calling it ?shameful? and rooted in a slavery mentality.

??The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu paid a state visit to Saint Lucia on June 29, aimed at deepening ties with the Caribbean and boosting South-South cooperation.

??In spite of the historic nature, the visit sparked criticism from some quarters in Saint Lucia.

??The Prime Minister in his speech to mark the 2025 Emancipation Day on Monday in Castries, criticised the backlash as political motivated by a group tacitly backed by the opposition party.

??He said the visit was a success, enhancing diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.

??Pierre emphasised the symbolic importance of African unity and pride that the visit reignited.

???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.?

??The Prime Minister noted that several strategic memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed during Tinubu?s visit.

??He pledged to build stronger ties with Nigeria and other African nations.

???I am pleased that during the visit of the President and his delegation, several memorandum 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.?

??Pierre also expressed gratitude on behalf of Saint Lucia?s government and people for President Tinubu?s visit.

???The prime minister used the occasion which marks the 191st anniversary of the abolition of slavery, to call on Saint Lucians to confront the lingering effects of colonialism while embracing Africa unity.

???As we honour the sacred memory of our ancestors, we are not only looking back, we are reaching forward.?

??Pierre acknowledged Saint Lucia?s progress since 1834, but noted that slavery?s legacy still lingers in minds and systems.

??He warned that internalised inferiority and colonial values still divide communities and erode self-worth.

??He called for deeper collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean to accelerate black emancipation and development. (NAN)

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