The Federal Government has called on the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intensify engagement with the three countries under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), describing them as “brothers and sisters” with shared challenges and aspirations.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the handover ceremony for outgoing and incoming statutory appointees of ECOWAS institutions.
According to a statement signed by Raphael Oni, Special Assistant, Digital Media and Public Diplomacy in the Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Enikanolaiye represented President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the growth, stability and progress of the regional bloc, stressing that peace and security remained the foundation for meaningful economic integration.
The minister urged the new ECOWAS leadership to strengthen dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which make up the AES, and work towards rebuilding stronger regional ties.
He also called on the incoming leadership to uphold the vision of ECOWAS’s founding fathers for a united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa.
Enikanolaiye urged the new management to prioritise the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, titled “The ECOWAS of Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All.”
He identified free movement of people, intra-regional trade and investment, infrastructure development, food and energy security, youth and women’s empowerment, and job creation as key areas requiring greater attention.
The minister further stressed the importance of financial probity, accountability, cost-effectiveness and prudent management of the organisation’s resources.
He said ECOWAS must ensure that the investments made by Nigeria and other member states through the Community Levy were properly justified.
“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.
Enikanolaiye commended the outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray of The Gambia, as well as the commissioners and heads of institutions, for their contributions to the regional organisation.
He congratulated the incoming leadership and urged them to lead with “vision, integrity, efficiency and service to community citizens.”
The new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, assumed office following his appointment by the Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 69th Ordinary Summit in Sierra Leone.
Diop, a former Senegalese Minister of Defence and former Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, succeeds Touray, whose four-year tenure has ended.
The new ECOWAS president has pledged to provide strategic leadership focused on strengthening regional integration, peace and security, economic cooperation and institutional effectiveness.
A Nigerian, Anthony Ogunjimi, has assumed office as Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, alongside newly appointed commissioners.
The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Cheikh Niang; members of the Permanent Representatives Committee; Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council, Aliko Dangote; staff of ECOWAS institutions; and members of the press.
