By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

?Saint Lucia has conferred its highest national honour, the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), on President Bola Tinubu.

The honour was awarded in recognition of President Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean region.

Mr Errol Charles, Governor-General of Saint Lucia, performed the formal investiture during an official reception held Monday night at Government House, Morne Fortune.

The Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, announced the honour in a statement released Tuesday in Abuja.

President Tinubu, who will now carry the honorific title “Sir,” expressed deep appreciation to the government and people of Saint Lucia for the recognition.

He described the award as a symbol of growing ties between Nigeria and Saint Lucia and pledged to deepen relations with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

“I am here as one of you, representing that historical journey taken by our forebears, the history that we cannot reverse but are prepared to build upon with progressive understanding.

“I am greatly honoured, on behalf of my country and the nearly 220 million people in Nigeria. I came here as a president, but I’m leaving as a knight,” he added.

President Tinubu lauded Saint Lucia’s warm hospitality, describing the experience as “thrilling and exciting.”

He thanked both the Prime Minister and the Governor-General for deeming him worthy of such distinction.

“The black race is not lazy. We are hardworking and honest people. Given the opportunity, we can excel,” he said, emphasising the resilience of African and Caribbean peoples and urging continued cooperation.

The Governor-General announced that Tinubu would now be formally addressed as: “Sir Bola Ahmed Tinubu, KCOSL (Hon.), President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He noted that the award reflected President Tinubu’s leadership across Africa and his commitment to unity between Africa and the Caribbean.

Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip Pierre, also lauded Tinubu for accepting the honour, saying, “For Saint Lucia and the OECS, part of our heritage lies in Africa, and we are proud of it.

“We want to develop it and bring our people closer together; Africa and this region must be one.” (NAN)

•PHOTO: Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Errol Charles, decorates President Bola Tinubu with the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL).