Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience are spending Emancipation Day in Trinidad and Tobago on the first leg of a flying visit to the Caribbean that will culminate in Jamaica for that country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations.
According to a press statement issued by President Jonathan’s special adviser on media and publicity, Jonathan and his wife “will review the Kambule Street Procession, the major event marking the Trinidad and Tobago Emancipation Day on Wednesday August 1, with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar.”
The statement continued that Jonathan “will also present a goodwill message to the procession, pay a courtesy call on the President of Trinidad and Tobago, Prof. George Maxwell Richards and his wife Dr. Jean Ramjohn Richards, and meet with members of the Nigerian community resident in Trinidad and Tobago.”
The President and his wife will attend the Emancipation Day Cultural Programme at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village, and will be special guests a State Banquet.
“Jonathan’s official visit to Jamaica will commence on Thursday August 2, with a Special Commemorative Session of Parliament in his honour, after which he will be hosted by the Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller,” the statement said.
“Other activities of President Jonathan in Jamaica will include participation in a Mello Go Round at the National Stadium, a bilateral meeting in the Prime Minister’s office, a meeting with the Nigerian Community and a luncheon hosted by the Governor-General of Jamaica Patrick Allen.”
President Jonathan is expected back in Abuja on Saturday August 4.
Emancipation Day has been observed as a national holiday in Trinidad and Tobago since 1985, while Jamaica attained independence from Great Britain in 1962.
