Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, have expressed confidence that countries who recently left the economic countries of west African states will in the immediate future return to the regional body as diplomatic efforts to reintegrate the countries of Niger, Mali and Burkina faso gain momentum.
The elder statesmen said this Tuesday in Lagos at the International Conference on ECOWAS at 50 organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), in partnership with Konard-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) with the theme “A Story of Resilience and Integration”
The elderstatesmen urged member states to intensify efforts aimed at restoring unity within the regional bloc, emphasizing that the return of the three Sahel nations is critical to achieving greater regional integration and stability
General Gowon, a founding figure in the establishment of ECOWAS in 1975, reiterated the importance of solidarity among West African nations.
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He called on current leaders to uphold the founding principles of the organization
The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa Osaghae, in his remarks expressed confidence in the ability of ECOWAS to overcome its current challenges and emerge stronger in the coming decades.
The conference, themed “A Story of Resilience and Integration,” was organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS).
It brought together stakeholders, policymakers, and scholars to reflect on the achievements and challenges of ECOWAS over the past five decades.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
