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| Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar |
She remembered him "as one of Africa’s great leaders".
Persad-Bissessar noted that in 1984 Trinidad & Tobago became the first country in the world to declare August 1 as a public holiday to mark Emancipation Day in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery throughout the former British Empire.
Persad-Bissessar noted that in 1984 Trinidad & Tobago became the first country in the world to declare August 1 as a public holiday to mark Emancipation Day in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery throughout the former British Empire.
Since then the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) has "tirelessly lobbied and encouraged other States" to join in the observance and declaration of Emancipation Day on August 1st, she said.
"It is especially significant to note that in 2006 the African Union approved a proposal by Nigeria for all of its member states to observe Emancipation Day on August 1st. Trinidad and Tobago is eternally grateful for the support of Nigeria, the African Union and by extension all of Africa in the movement for the global recognition of Emancipation," the Prime Minister declared.
She also spoke of the relations between Nigeria and Trinidad & Tobago, established 50 years ago. "Nigeria was amongst the first countries to welcome a newly independent Trinidad and Tobago to the international community and so 2012 is a significant milestone in our relationship with Nigeria. As we celebrate our fiftieth anniversary of Independence, we also mark 50 years of diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Persad-Bissessar said.
She noted that the state visit of the Nigerian leader is indicative of T&T's commitment to the exchange of high level visits that started in 1964 when Prime Minister at the time, Dr Eric Williams, visited Nigeria as part of an African tour to signal Trinidad and Tobago’s desire to re-connect with the Continent as a newly independent nation.
She said that commitment was reinforced in 2008 when Trinidad and Tobago embarked on the Africa Energy Initiative, offering technical consultation and assistance in the energy sector to several African states. She noted that the initiative is currently under revision in order to improve efficiency for all stakeholders.
In the interim, she said, Trinidad and Tobago will continue to collaborate with Nigeria in energy and energy related projects and looks forward to welcoming delegations from Nigeria to visit Trinidad and Tobago for exchanges in this area.
"It is especially significant to note that in 2006 the African Union approved a proposal by Nigeria for all of its member states to observe Emancipation Day on August 1st. Trinidad and Tobago is eternally grateful for the support of Nigeria, the African Union and by extension all of Africa in the movement for the global recognition of Emancipation," the Prime Minister declared.
She also spoke of the relations between Nigeria and Trinidad & Tobago, established 50 years ago. "Nigeria was amongst the first countries to welcome a newly independent Trinidad and Tobago to the international community and so 2012 is a significant milestone in our relationship with Nigeria. As we celebrate our fiftieth anniversary of Independence, we also mark 50 years of diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Nigeria," Persad-Bissessar said.
She noted that the state visit of the Nigerian leader is indicative of T&T's commitment to the exchange of high level visits that started in 1964 when Prime Minister at the time, Dr Eric Williams, visited Nigeria as part of an African tour to signal Trinidad and Tobago’s desire to re-connect with the Continent as a newly independent nation.
She said that commitment was reinforced in 2008 when Trinidad and Tobago embarked on the Africa Energy Initiative, offering technical consultation and assistance in the energy sector to several African states. She noted that the initiative is currently under revision in order to improve efficiency for all stakeholders.
In the interim, she said, Trinidad and Tobago will continue to collaborate with Nigeria in energy and energy related projects and looks forward to welcoming delegations from Nigeria to visit Trinidad and Tobago for exchanges in this area.
She added that Trinidad and Tobago also remains committed to making available to Nigeria its technical experts in the energy sector.
"I await the report from the Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs on the proposed Izombe Gas Processing Project between the National Gas Company, the National Energy Corporation and Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited of Trinidad and Tobago and the National Petroleum Corporation of Nigeria," she stated.
She told the president, "Trinidad and Tobago is also pleased to be a part of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme initiated and implemented by your office to engage young persons from the energy-rich Niger Delta in training and rehabilitation programmes, thereby contributing to the positive development of that region.
She told the president, "Trinidad and Tobago is also pleased to be a part of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme initiated and implemented by your office to engage young persons from the energy-rich Niger Delta in training and rehabilitation programmes, thereby contributing to the positive development of that region.
"On Wednesday July 25th, the National Energy Skills Centre held a graduation ceremony for its first group of trainees from the programme who are now certified in the areas of Automotive Service Maintenance, Heavy Equipment Operations and Millwright and Shielded Metal Arc Wielding.
"I am confident that the 53 graduates will utilise the skills acquired to enhance the human capital of the Niger Delta. I am informed that another group of approximately 80 trainees are expected to arrive in Trinidad and Tobago and that discussions are underway for the implementation of a similar training model in Nigeria."
Persad-Bissessar noted that cooperation between both countries extends beyond the energy sector into cultural and creative industries. "The formation of the Africa-Trinidad and Tobago Steel Pan Development Company comes at an opportune time, as the Government of Trinidad and Tobago makes consistent efforts to export our cultural diversity worldwide," she said.
Persad-Bissessar noted that cooperation between both countries extends beyond the energy sector into cultural and creative industries. "The formation of the Africa-Trinidad and Tobago Steel Pan Development Company comes at an opportune time, as the Government of Trinidad and Tobago makes consistent efforts to export our cultural diversity worldwide," she said.
"I understand that the vision of the company is to promote and develop the steel pan in Nigeria and throughout the African Continent. The explosive growth of youth steel bands and orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago are indicative of the steel pan’s appeal to the youth and its role as a motivating influence in their lives.
"I would encourage Your Excellency to fully explore the potential of steel pan music education programmes for youth. I assure you that the results will be exceedingly positive.
"Your Excellency, in February 2012, Trinidad and Tobago was pleased to share its Carnival experience with a delegation from the Ministry of Tourism, Cultural and National Orientation of Nigeria.
"Your Excellency, in February 2012, Trinidad and Tobago was pleased to share its Carnival experience with a delegation from the Ministry of Tourism, Cultural and National Orientation of Nigeria.
"The visit strengthened the cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria in the area of culture and the development of Carnival activities in various Nigerian states.
"The Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism and the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago are readily available to offer technical assistance to Nigeria for the development of Abuja Carnival, as we have done in the past with Calabar and Lagos Carnivals," the Prime Minister said.
"I am aware that the future of the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria can only be intensified by the conclusion of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement and the convening of the Second Session of the Trinidad and Tobago/Nigeria Joint Commission in Abuja.
"I am aware that the future of the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria can only be intensified by the conclusion of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement and the convening of the Second Session of the Trinidad and Tobago/Nigeria Joint Commission in Abuja.
"In this regard, I wish to affirm that Trinidad and Tobago is willing to facilitate the advancement of the process so as to expand people to people interaction between our countries and to foster South-South cooperation.
"In the words of our very own Makandaal Daaga, Ambassador of Culture to CARICOM and one of the Emancipation Day pioneers in Trinidad and Tobago: “History has taught us that Emancipation is not distinctly National or Racial, but it is a continuing process that involves all men and women of conscience”. May we continue Your Excellency to endeavour to do the very best for our people, that they may always be mentally socially, politically, economically, and culturally emancipated," Persad-Bissessar said.
"In the words of our very own Makandaal Daaga, Ambassador of Culture to CARICOM and one of the Emancipation Day pioneers in Trinidad and Tobago: “History has taught us that Emancipation is not distinctly National or Racial, but it is a continuing process that involves all men and women of conscience”. May we continue Your Excellency to endeavour to do the very best for our people, that they may always be mentally socially, politically, economically, and culturally emancipated," Persad-Bissessar said.
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