From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to foster a united West Africa where economies thrive, cultures flourish, and future generations inherit peace and prosperity.
Speaking at the first plenary session of the 2025 ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Akpabio delivered a goodwill message titled “One Region, One Dream: Advancing the Promise of West Africa”.
Akpabio emphasised that the gathering responded to a call for a brighter future. “We are united by the conviction that our borders may divide our lands, but they must never divide our purpose,” he said.
He called for a shared vision of enduring peace, inclusive prosperity, and progress that uplifts every community. Akpabio stressed that differences among member states are a source of strength, urging a renewed commitment to overcome challenges and build a region of unity.
He further described ECOWAS as a clarion call to greatness, not just a concept. “This is the hope with which I stand before you at this 2025 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament,” Akpabio said, thanking the assembly for the opportunity to address regional lawmakers.
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, noted that recent activities, guided by the parliament’s work plan, included presentations from ECOWAS Commission experts. These allowed parliamentarians to assess successes, identify challenges, and propose solutions to strengthen regional integration and free movement.
“It is therefore with a sense of responsibility that during this session, we will consider and adopt the reports of those meetings,” Ibrahima said.
ECOWAS Commission President Alieu Omar Touray informed the parliament that, following decisions made by ECOWAS Heads of State on December 16, 2024, an extraordinary Council of Ministers session in Accra from April 22 to 23 addressed the withdrawal of three Sahel countries.
The council adopted a holistic negotiation plan, and discussions with these nations will begin this week. “The position of ECOWAS is that the separation of the three countries should not come at the expense of the community citizens,” Touray said.