Rain on President’s parade

DESPITE early morning showers and an absence of large cheering crowds, Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was treated to the sweet sounds of the steelpan and pulsating African drumming during his visit to the city of San Fernando yesterday morning. President Obasanjo, who was presented with the keys to the southern city by Deputy Mayor Malika Blair, also repeated calls for greater integration between Caribbean people and those of the African continent, saying Trinidad and Tobago shared a number of similarities in culture, music together with a diverse multi-ethnic society.

Addressing both councillors and members of administration of the San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC), he observed while Government-to-Government agreements were essential, relationships developed between institutions such as schools and communities were often more long lasting and permanent. And with Prime Minister Patrick Manning, also on the podium, the visiting head said an exchange between the PM’s alma mater, Presentation College, and his school in Nigeria would serve to strengthen ties between the two cities. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manning praised Nigeria as an emerging tower of strength, saying the President Obasanjo-led administration had made a significant impact on the many problems facing the African continent.

Manning, who noted the presence of an Opposition member in the SFCC, said the Opposition party was a valuable part of a country’s democratic process. He said the nation was slowly becoming an integrated society since the nation’s independence. Four steelbands, including TCL Skiffle Bunch, Fonclaire, Pan Elders and Pansonic, lined the streets from Mon Repos Junction to Harris Promenade as part of the official welcome.

Earlier, President Obasanjo visited the Point Lisas Industrial Estate where he received a miniature replica of the national instrument from PLIPDECO chairman, Commander Kayam Mohammed. The visit was briefly interrupted when an electricity transformer blew, and momentarily plunged the conference room in darkness. However, the visit proceeded as scheduled after the company’s generators kicked in and the tour of the Industrial Estate proceeded as scheduled.