President Bola Tinubu has urged Saint Lucian students to harness the power of education to shape a more prosperous and united Afro-Caribbean future.
By Muhyideen Jimoh
President Bola Tinubu has urged Saint Lucian students to harness the power of education to shape a more prosperous and united Afro-Caribbean future.
President Tinubu stated this while addressing students at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Morne Fortune on Tuesday, the fourth day of his State Visit to Saint Lucia.
This is contained in a statement by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday.
The Nigerian leader underscored the role of education in building a resilient and interconnected Afro-Caribbean community.
He praised the institution, named after Nobel Laureate Sir Arthur Lewis, as a beacon of academic excellence and social transformation.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Saint Lucia in the areas of education, culture, and technology.
He announced a cultural exchange opportunity following a performance of The Drum Maker, based on a work by Saint Lucian playwright Kendel Hippolyte.
”I offer a trip – at its convenience – to the performing arts group to come and mix with the talents that we have in Nigeria,” he said.
Acknowleging education as a powerful weapon against poverty, he urged the students to remain bold, consistent, and disciplined in their learning journey.
”Nothing like can fight poverty like education. If anybody tells you that education is not crucial, ask the person to try ignorance,” he said.
He highlighted perseverance, critical thinking, and effective time management as keys to personal and academic success.
”What you get out of this college is your own that you can use to achieve anything in life. Just be determined, consistent, and bold. Be intellectually inquisitive,” he added.
President Tinubu advised the students not to over-rely on artificial intelligence in problem-solving and academic growth.
”Don’t depend on AI technology to find you the solution. Go through like a recipe in the kitchen, one after the other. Then you solve the problem.
”Once you solve the problem, you see satisfaction in yourself and pride in achievement,” he said.
He also emphasised Nigeria’s dedication to fostering Afrocentric policies and South-South partnerships rooted in shared heritage.
”I believe Nigeria will collaborate with Saint Lucia to make a difference in the lives of our Black race.
”In our national anthem, we pledge to hand over a banner without stain to the generation that comes after us. We will give you that banner if you work hard, honestly, and consistently.”
Earlier, Edward Shadrack, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education, described Tinubu’s visit as a reaffirmation of Afro-Caribbean unity.