Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded President John Dramani Mahama’s visionary leadership, unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to regional integration and development ideals, which has been a source of inspiration and strength.
“Under your stewardship, Your Excellency, Ghana remains a beacon of democratic governance, economic progress and regional solidarity,” he stated.
“Your efforts in championing the upliftment of our dear region through diplomacy, collaboration and tireless transformative policies deserve our most profound appreciation and admiration.”
President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State, made the remarks in speech read on his behalf by Madam Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, at the launch of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of ECOWAS in Accra.
The event, on the theme “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future”, was attended by Liberian President Joseph Boakai, Togolese Prime Minister, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, MrMuhammad B. S. Jallow, the Vice President of The Gambia, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and representatives from all the 12-Member ECOWAS countries.
Similarly, President Tinubu commended the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication of the ECOWAS Commission staff; stating that their professionalism, commitment and collaborative spirit had been instrumental in making this day a resounding success.
He said five decades ago, their founding fathers from 15 nations envisioned regional economic integration, cooperation and shared prosperity; adding that from the ashes of colonialism and the turbulence of post-independence struggles, they forged ECOWAS, a beacon of hope for their people.
He said their dream was not merely to dissolve borders, but to build bridges of trade, cultural exchange and mutual progress.
President Tinubu said from the original Treaty of Lagos in 1975 to the momentous gathering in Accra for the ECOWAS@50 anniversary launch, ECOWAS had remained a pillar of integration and a beacon of hope for over 400 million citizens across their region.
“Remarkably, our journey over the past five decades has not been without challenges.
We have faced political instability, economic hardship, infrastructural deficits and security threats, but we remain undaunted,” he stated.
“We shall not relent in our commitment to a united, peaceful, purposeful and prosperous West Africa.”
President Tinubu said as they celebrate numerous remarkable achievements that distinguish ECOWAS as the most successful regional economic community on the African continent, they had established one of Africa’s most vibrant free trade areas in five decades, fostering intra-regional commerce and lifting millions from poverty.
“We have championed peace through ECOWAS’ valiant efforts, mediating conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia,” he said.
“We have introduced the ECOWAS Passport, symbolizing our commitment to free movement. We have also advanced democratic norms, standing firm against tyranny and supporting transitions to constitutional governance.”
He said however, the journey towards a truly united and prosperous region was far from over.
“We must confront the hard truths of our present reality. Despite our shared vision, too many of our citizens still live in poverty. Too many of our children lack access to quality education.”
He reiterated that too many of the youth in the subregionremain unemployed, disillusioned or forced to seek opportunities abroad.
He said the region continued to grapple with new and evolving threats, violent extremism, climate change and food insecurity.
President Tinubu said the wave of unconstitutional changes in the region seriously threatens the democratic gains they had painstakingly built.
“As the current Chair of ECOWAS, I reaffirm Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles that guide us,” he said.
“Democracy, the rule of law, good governance and regional solidarity. These are not just ideals. They are the foundations for peace, development and the dignity of our people.”
President Tinubu said in this new chapter, they must reimagine ECOWAS as not just a community of states, but a community of people.
He said pledged Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with every nation, large or small, to build an ECOWAS that was resilient and prepared to confront the challenges of their time.
President John Dramani Mahama, who chaired the ECOWAS@50 launch, announced that Ghana was offering a thousand scholarships to tertiary students from across the ECOWAS sub-region to study in the nation’s universities.
“This is not just a gesture, it is an act of solidarity. It is a bridge to a future where our young people who grew up seeing each other not as foreigners, but as partners,” he said.
Dr Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, said in marking the 50th anniversary their objective was to celebrate, reflect, and recalibrate their community.
GNA.
