By Excellence Oseose
The new statutory appointees to institutions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have officially assumed office in Abuja, with Nigeria reaffirming its commitment to regional integration, peace and economic development.
The handover ceremony for the outgoing and incoming appointees was held in Abuja, where the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, called on the new leadership to remain committed to the founding vision of ECOWAS.
Speaking as the host minister, Enikanolaiye conveyed the greetings and best wishes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and described the transition as an affirmation of continuity in the collective pursuit of regional integration, more than five decades after the establishment of ECOWAS.
He urged the incoming management to work towards building an “ECOWAS of citizens and not of governments,” while remaining anchored to the vision of a united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa.
The Minister charged the new leadership to prioritize the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, titled “The ECOWAS of Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All.”
The ceremony was attended by the Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, H.E. Cheikh Niang; members of the Permanent Representatives Committee; Chair of the ECOWAS Business Council, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; staff of ECOWAS institutions and members of the press.