By: Kebba AF Touray
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority Heads of States and Governments and President of Nigeria, has charged the regional bloc to work towards achieving unity and bringing opportunity and prosperity in the region.
President Tinubu made this demand to the regional bloc’s Assembly of Ministers on Thursday, 4 April 2024 at the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, while presiding over the official opening of the inaugural session of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament.
He informed the Sixth ECOWAS Parliament of the profound challenges confronting the bloc which demands for their unified efforts to resolve them.
Affirming the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament in the bloc’s journey
toward a future of peace and prosperity for all, President Tinubu said success cannot be achieved without the loyal contribution and hard work of the community’s legislature.
“Furthermore, to realize ECOWAS’ Vision 2050, we require greater involvement of the people in the decision making processes of the community, and that can only be achieved through your duly-elected representatives who, being members of their various national parliaments, are seconded to the community parliament. We are here to collectively serve all the good and great people of West Africa,’’ he said. He assured the sub-regional parliament of his support in their proposal for direct election of members into the ECOWAS parliament, saying this would give citizens of member states a say in who represents them.
On his part, the Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for unity among ECOWAS member states, and urged his fellow lawmakers to use the parliament to build the bridges of unity and progress.
‘‘We have worked tirelessly to address the challenges facing our region. From economic and inequality challenges, to security threats, and such innovative resolutions will foster sustainable development and prosperity for all. However, let us not rest on our oars,” he said.
He tasked the bloc to consolidate the successes of their predecessors to forge a path towards a more inclusive, equitable and prosperous future for all. He asserted the need to deepen enhancement on regional integration on trade and investment as well as on the promotion of the free movement of goods, services and people within the region.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, also urged the newly inaugurated members of the ECOWAS Parliament to live up to their responsibilities, while assuring them of the Commission’s support in the achievement of their mandate.
