Shettima tasks ECOWAS leadership on sub-region’s unity, integration

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission to prioritise regional unity and integration in advancing the progress of the sub-region’s people and economy.

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Shettima stated this on Friday in New York, United States, when he granted audience to a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission.

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The delegation was led by its new President, retired Gen. Birame Diop, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

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He also urged the commission to build bridges of friendship and promote programmes and policies that would significantly impact the lives and livelihoods of people across the sub-region.

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Shettima also implored the new leadership of the sub-regional body to take private sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan highway project.

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“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region.

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“ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

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“I urge ECOWAS under your leadership to champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among our people,” he said.

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He congratulated the commission’s new president on his election, noting that he assumed office at a difficult time that would require greater synergy and cohesion among leaders and people of the sub-region.

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Shettima assured Diop of Nigeria’s continuous cooperation and support.

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“My boss, President Bola Tinubu, is a man of honour and conviction who will always support efforts aimed at advancing the transformation of ECOWAS as a regional body and the progress of the area in general.

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He said Nigeria would continue to create the enabling environment for ECOWAS as a body to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the vision and objectives set by its founding fathers.

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Earlier, Diop eulogised Nigeria for the role it played in the establishment and sustenance of ECOWAS over the years.

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He also commended Nigeria for its sacrifices towards the stability and prosperity of the sub-region in spite of the challenges.

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Diop decried rising concerns regarding insecurity and lagging development across the sub-region.

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He said the commission was facing unique challenges that required Nigeria’s direct intervention as a “big brother” to be successfully resolved.

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He described ECOWAS as a tool for regional stability that should be encouraged and supported at all times.

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The commission’s president anppea to other countries in the sub-region to cooperate with Nigeria to ensure inclusive development and a better future for the people of the sub-region.

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The meeting had Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) in attendance.

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Others are the Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, and top officials from the ECOWAS Commission, among others.

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