Shettima Charges New ECOWAS Commission Leadership On Regional Unity, Integration
By Sunday Etuka
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the newly inaugurated leadership of the ECOWAS Commission to place regional unity and integration at the heart of its agenda, stressing that doing so is key to lifting the economic fortunes of West Africa’s people.
The Vice President made the call on Friday in New York when he received a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission, led by its new President, General Birame Diop (rtd), on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
According to him, the sub-regional body can drive meaningful change by fostering closer ties among member states and rolling out programmes capable of directly improving lives and livelihoods across the region.
Shettima, in a statement on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, also pressed the Commission to give serious attention to private sector involvement in delivering the Lagos-Abidjan highway project.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region. ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“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 told the visiting delegation.
Congratulating General Diop on his election, the Vice President observed that the new Commission president was taking office at a challenging period that demands stronger cohesion among the sub-region’s leaders and citizens.
He further assured the ECOWAS chief of Nigeria’s unwavering support, describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “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.”
Nigeria, he added, would continue providing an enabling environment for ECOWAS to thrive and fulfil the vision of its founding fathers.
In his remarks, General Diop commended Nigeria for its historic role in founding and sustaining ECOWAS, as well as the sacrifices it has made for the sub-region’s stability despite persistent challenges.
He noted that beyond growing insecurity and uneven development across the sub-region, the Commission continues to face distinct challenges that require Nigeria’s direct engagement as a “big brother” for lasting solutions.
Calling ECOWAS a vital instrument for regional stability, the Commission president urged fellow member states to work closely with Nigeria to secure inclusive development and a brighter future for the sub-region.
The meeting was also attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim; and senior officials of the ECOWAS Commission.
