Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the progress, growth and stability of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as new statutory appointees of the regional organisation assume office in Abuja.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, gave the assurance during a handover ceremony for outgoing and incoming statutory appointees of ECOWAS institutions.
A statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy, Raphael Oni, said Enikanolaiye conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the ceremony.
The Minister described the transition as an affirmation of continuity in the collective pursuit of regional integration more than 50 years after the establishment of ECOWAS.
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He urged the incoming leadership to remain committed to the vision of the founding fathers of a united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa while working towards an “ECOWAS of citizens and not of governments.”
The new management was also tasked with prioritising 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.
Enikanolaiye stressed the importance of financial probity, accountability, cost-effectiveness and prudent management of the organisation’s resources.
According to the Minister, ECOWAS must justify the huge investments made by Nigeria and other member states through the Community Levy.
On regional peace and security, he identified stability as the foundation for sustainable economic integration and called for stronger engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries.
The Minister urged member states to engage the AES countries as brothers and sisters with shared challenges and aspirations.
Enikanolaiye commended the outgoing President, Commissioners and Heads of ECOWAS institutions for their service and congratulated the incoming team, urging them to lead with vision, integrity, efficiency and commitment to 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 stated.
Meanwhile, 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 was appointed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Summit in Sierra Leone.
The former Senegalese Minister of Defence and former Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces pledged to provide strategic leadership aimed at strengthening regional integration, peace and security, economic cooperation and institutional effectiveness.
Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria will serve as the new Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, while all Commissioners have also been replaced.
The ceremony was attended by the Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Cheikh Niang, members of the Permanent Representatives Committee, Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, staff of ECOWAS institutions and members of the press.
