“And every time they win it is a victory for us Nigerians because we are one. Jamaica and Nigeria, one people, one destiny, one history,” declared Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s foreign minister.
He was referring to Jamaica’s “super athletes” during his speech at the Emancipation Jubilee vigil at the Seville Heritage Park in St Ann last Sunday night, where he was a special guest.
“They’re not just Jamaicans, they’re Nigerians, they’re Africans. And every time they’re running, there’s 210 million of us cheering them on,” he also said.
Black Jamaicans are people who are descendants of Africans who were brought to the island and enslaved on sugar cane and other plantations. Therefore, Jamaican culture has its foundation in what Africans brought from Nigeria, Ghana and other regions of West Africa.
Seville on St Ann was the first Spanish settlement on the island. It was a plantation where many Africans lived and died. A grave containing the remains of Africans found on the property was once reburied. Now, Jamaica and Nigeria have strong diplomatic ties, with Nigeria being one of the very few African countries to have a permanent diplomatic post located on the island.
Over the years, the ties seem to have strengthened. And, according to Minister Onyeama, the Nigerian High Commission in Jamaica “is doing so much to unite our people”. So in more ways than one, the theme of the night, ‘Revival of the African Spirit’, was fitting and the Nigerian High Commission and the government of Nigeria were fully on board.
“President Buhari was determined that Nigeria should be represented here. He asked me to come here to represent over 200 million Nigerians and show love to our brothers and sisters in Jamaica; to tell you that we are very much with you and feel very much part of you; and, of course, you are part of us. And to bring solidarity and good wishes from the people of Nigeria,” Minister Onyeama said.
He noted that this was his fourth visit and that it was always a “great pleasure to be in Jamaica.”
The minister said he felt more at home in Jamaica than in any other country and that it was as if he had never left Nigeria.
“When I see a Jamaican, I see a Nigerian, no physical difference or any other attribute.” He noted that both peoples are equally aggressive, stubborn and strong.
Congratulating those who organized a “fantastic jubilee”, Minister Onyeama described Sunday night’s show as “spectacular”. Nigerians themselves were also part of the spectacle, as the Nigerian government had sent “one of its finest cultural troupes” to show us “just a taste of Nigeria’s rich culture”. They joined some compatriots who live here for an entertaining performance of traditional Nigerian theatre. There was also a “Welcome to Nigeria” booth displaying traditional items and printed fabrics.
In a well-received, four-part presentation, there was the dramatization of a traditional Nigerian wedding in which the parents of the bride and groom were integrally involved. It was a depiction of a real life situation in which a marriage/marriage is a very serious matter. Then, there was a serenade in Jamaica by a Nigerian doctor working at the Kingston Public Hospital. And performing various tribal dances were couples from the Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa people.
Through a captivating storyteller holding a ‘spearhead’, the climax came with a war dance featuring characters similar to those of the Jamaican Jonkunno, only more elaborate and brilliant. And as the performers enthralled the audience, Minister Onyeama and Dr Maureen Tamuno, the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Jamaica, looked on and beamed with pride.
On the diplomatic and bilateral side of cooperation, Minister Onyeama commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith for the work “she is doing in cementing the relationship between Nigeria and Jamaica”, for which she should be contacted on great through direct air connection. He shared that it is the policy of the Nigerian government to prioritize Nigeria’s relationship with the Caribbean, with Jamaica being the hub for such relationship.
He expressed satisfaction that Jamaica is becoming a real tourist destination for many Nigerians and that there will be greater cooperation in sports, business, tourism, music, economy and trade. “The Nigerian government has specifically supported a technical assistance corps program to encourage young Nigerian professionals to come and share their knowledge and skills with the people of Jamaica,” he said.
