Nigeria has restated its commitment to the growth, stability and integration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), urging the new leadership of the regional bloc to promote a people-centred community and advance the objectives of ECOWAS Vision 2050.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the pledge at the handover ceremony for outgoing and incoming statutory appointees of ECOWAS institutions in Abuja.
A statement signed by Raphael Oni, Special Assistant on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy on Tuesday, the minister conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the new ECOWAS leadership.
Enikanolaiye, who spoke as the Host Minister, described the transition as a demonstration of continuity in the regional integration process, more than 50 years after the establishment of ECOWAS.
He urged the incoming management to remain faithful to the vision of the founding fathers by working towards a united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa.
According to him, the new leadership must also work towards building an “ECOWAS of citizens and not of governments.”
The minister charged the incoming officials to prioritise the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, themed, “The ECOWAS of Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All.”
He identified free movement, intra-regional trade and investment, infrastructure development, food and energy security, youth and women empowerment, and job creation as critical areas requiring sustained attention.
Enikanolaiye also emphasised the importance of accountability and prudent financial management, noting that ECOWAS must ensure transparency, cost-effectiveness and financial probity in the use of resources contributed by Nigeria and other member states through the Community Levy.
He further stressed that peace and security were essential to the success of economic integration in West Africa, calling for continued engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries over the region’s shared challenges and aspirations.
The minister commended the outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Commissioners and Heads of Institutions for their service and contributions to the regional organisation.
He also congratulated the incoming statutory appointees and urged them to provide leadership founded on integrity, efficiency, vision and service to the people of the ECOWAS community.
“Nigeria remains committed to working constructively with the new leadership and all Member States towards a stronger, more integrated and people-centred ECOWAS,” Enikanolaiye said.
Meanwhile, the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, has formally assumed office.
Diop, a former Minister of Defence of Senegal and former Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, succeeds Dr. Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, whose four-year tenure as President of the Commission has ended.
The new ECOWAS Commission President was appointed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Summit in Sierra Leone.
Diop is expected to provide strategic leadership aimed at strengthening regional integration, peace and security, economic cooperation and the effectiveness of ECOWAS institutions.
Also assuming office is Anthony Ogunjimi of Nigeria as the new Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, while a new set of Commissioners has been appointed.
The ceremony was attended by the Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, H.E. 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 media.