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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has challenged the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urgently rebuild regional unity and bridge the widening divide between the bloc and countries now outside its fold.
Shettima said the survival and relevance of ECOWAS would depend largely on its ability to deepen regional integration, strengthen bonds among West African countries and pursue initiatives that directly improve the lives and livelihoods of citizens, according to a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.
The Vice President made the call on Friday in New York, United States, when he received the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop (rtd.), and his delegation on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Coming at a time when the West African regional bloc is grappling with divisions over the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Shettima urged the new ECOWAS leadership to make reconciliation and engagement central to its agenda.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region,” he told Diop.
“ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as Alliance of Sahel States (AES).”
He urged the commission to “champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among our people.”
The Vice President also identified greater private-sector involvement in regional infrastructure development as critical to advancing economic integration, specifically urging the new ECOWAS leadership to take private sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan Highway project.
The proposed highway is envisaged as a major regional transport corridor linking some of West Africa’s largest economies and commercial centres.
Shettima congratulated Diop on his election, saying his assumption of office came at a particularly difficult period requiring greater cohesion and synergy among governments and peoples of the sub-region.
He assured the new ECOWAS Commission president of Nigeria’s continued support, stressing that President Bola Tinubu remained committed to efforts aimed at strengthening the regional organisation.
“My boss, President Bola Ahmed 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,” Shettima said.
He added that Nigeria would continue to provide the enabling environment for ECOWAS to succeed and fulfil the vision of its founding fathers.
Earlier, Diop acknowledged Nigeria’s historic role in the creation and sustenance of ECOWAS, as well as the sacrifices made by the country towards maintaining stability and promoting prosperity across West Africa.
The new ECOWAS Commission president said the organisation was confronted by rising insecurity and persistent development challenges, alongside other complex problems requiring Nigeria’s direct intervention.
He described Nigeria as a “big brother” whose support would be crucial to resolving some of the challenges confronting the regional bloc.
According to him, ECOWAS remains an important instrument for regional stability and should therefore be encouraged and supported by member states.
He also called on other West African countries to cooperate with Nigeria in promoting inclusive development and securing a better future for the people of the sub-region.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, and senior officials of the ECOWAS Commission.
