By Editor
He made the announcement during a joint press conference with Saint Lucia鈥檚 Prime Minister, Philip Pierre, on Monday in Gros Islet.
鈥嶵his is contained in a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
鈥嶵he Nigerian leader said that the scholarship scheme is part of a broader cooperation framework between Nigeria and the OECS.
鈥嶩e noted that the initiative aims to deepen people-to-people ties and expand collaboration in education, trade, and development.
鈥嶵inubu also revealed ongoing plans to introduce visa waivers for holders of diplomatic and official passports from OECS countries.
鈥庘滻 believe we can take advantage of our presence here to get from the fruit that is lower to us and then reach the opportunity we have right here.鈥
鈥庘漈he Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States is very close to us in Africa, and I thank them for the opportunity to address the joint session of Parliament.鈥
鈥庘漈his will allow us actualise our dreams of getting closer to facilitate business and education opportunities, capacity building, and look at other areas of agriculture and food security.鈥
鈥庘漌e can easily do that by having a working commission. And we don鈥檛 have to look farther away.鈥
鈥庘漈he organisation itself has indicated several actions. We are moving forward from there. We won鈥檛 drop the ball,鈥 he assured.
鈥嶵inubu stated that the scholarship programme was developed in partnership with the OECS member states.
鈥嶩e added that a joint implementation committee comprising representatives from Nigeria and OECS member states will oversee the rollout.
鈥嶵heir task will be to finalise modalities and ensure beneficiaries commence studies in Nigeria next academic year.
鈥嶹hen asked about potential challenges in expanding OECS cooperation in key sectors, President Tinubu responded:
鈥庘滻 don鈥檛 look at difficulties. I look at problem-solving. And that is why the working lunch promoted a quick understanding of the expected difficulty level.鈥
鈥庘滻f we take a geometric definition of a straight line, which is the quickest point between two points, if we move on a straight line, we get our goal achieved, and there will be no problems鈥.
鈥嶱rime Minister Pierre welcomed the initiative, calling it a timely and practical show of solidarity.
鈥庘漌e expect students to begin their studies in Nigeria in the next academic year, based on the President鈥檚 directive. This is immediate action,鈥 the Prime Minister said.
鈥嶩e added that visa facilitation is now a key agenda item for the Nigeria鈥揙ECS Joint Committee.
鈥嶰ther top priorities include enhancing air connectivity, trade, and tourism.
鈥嶢sked when reciprocal visa waivers might be implemented, Pierre stated:
鈥庘漌ell, at the joint meeting, we discussed that. Additionally, there are some islands in the OECS, such as St. Kitts, where visa requirements do not apply.鈥
鈥庘漌e said that the committee will deal with all these issues, and the first on the agenda will be the people-to-people exchange.鈥
鈥庘漈his will come with the visa requirements. So we hope to have a speedy answer to that as soon as possible鈥.
鈥嶦arlier, President Tinubu addressed a special joint session of Saint Lucia鈥檚 Senate and House of Assembly, where he outlined his vision for a renewed and dynamic engagement between Nigeria and the OECS.