Delta North Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriations, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, welcomed Her Excellency, Ambassador Rosalyn Hazelle of St. Kitts and Nevis, to a private meeting in his Abuja office at the National Assembly, on Thursday.
The meeting focused on critical issues around reparations for Africa and the African diaspora, as well as building economic ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean. Senator Nwoko, known for his passionate advocacy for justice and equity for Africa, maintained his stance on reparations, calling it “long overdue and non-negotiable.”
Speaking during the meeting, Senator Nwoko reiterated his belief that Africa deserves a tangible apology backed by action from nations that profited from the transatlantic slave trade.
Ambassador Hazelle, a seasoned diplomat and former CEO of the St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency, expressed her full support for Senator Nwoko’s position, describing reparations as a shared struggle. She expressed that St. Kitts and Nevis shares similar sentiments, having been a beneficiary of such global discussions.
The meeting also delved into economic opportunities between Nigeria and the Caribbean. Senator Nwoko emphasized the potential for partnerships in areas such as tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy, noting that such collaboration could create wealth and opportunities on both sides.
The reparations agenda, however, remained the central theme of the discussion, with both leaders agreeing that African nations and their diaspora counterparts must present a united front.
Senator Nwoko commended the Caribbean countries for their proactive stance on reparations and called for stronger synergy.