By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the progress, stability and deeper integration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), urging the new leadership of the regional bloc to prioritise the interests of citizens.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call in Abuja at the handover ceremony for outgoing and incoming statutory appointees of ECOWAS institutions.
Enikanolaiye, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the ceremony, described the transition as a demonstration of continuity in the collective pursuit of regional integration, more than five decades after the establishment of ECOWAS.
He urged the incoming management to remain committed to the vision of the bloc’s founding fathers of creating a united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa, stressing the need for an “ECOWAS of citizens and not of governments.”
The minister charged the new leadership to accelerate the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, “The ECOWAS of Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All,” with emphasis on free movement, intra-regional trade and investment, infrastructure development, food and energy security, youth and women empowerment, and job creation.
He also stressed the importance of financial probity, accountability, cost-effectiveness and prudent management of the Community’s resources.
According to him, ECOWAS must justify the substantial investments made by Nigeria and other member states through the Community Levy by delivering tangible benefits to citizens across the region.
Enikanolaiye further identified peace and security as the foundation for sustainable economic integration, calling for intensified engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries.
He said member states should approach the AES countries as “brothers and sisters” with shared challenges and aspirations, stressing that regional unity remained essential to addressing West Africa’s security and development challenges.
The minister commended the outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Commissioners and Heads of Institutions for their service, while congratulating the incoming leadership.
He urged the new team to lead with vision, integrity, efficiency and a strong commitment to serving the citizens of the Community.
“Nigeria remains committed to working constructively with the new leadership and all Member States towards a stronger, more integrated and people-centred ECOWAS,” he said.
The new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, has assumed office, succeeding Dr. Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, whose four-year tenure has ended.
Diop, a former Senegalese Minister of Defence and former Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, was appointed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Summit in Sierra Leone.
The new ECOWAS Commission president pledged to provide strategic leadership aimed at strengthening regional integration, peace and security, economic cooperation and institutional effectiveness.
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Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria is to serve as the new Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, while new Commissioners have also assumed their respective positions.
The ceremony was attended by the Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, H.E. Cheikh Niang; members of the Permanent Representatives Committee; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chair of the ECOWAS Business Council; staff of ECOWAS institutions and members of the press.
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