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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, on Thursday said President Bola Tinubu’s leadership had reinforced regional integration and helped restore stability across West Africa, describing the Nigerian leader as a committed statesman whose influence had been pivotal in easing tensions within the subregion.
Speaking with State House Correspondents after a farewell audience with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Touray said Nigeria’s leadership under Tinubu had been central to the progress recorded in reducing political and security tensions across West Africa.
“If today we are saying West Africa tension has gone down in West Africa, we should give credit to President Tinubu and to Nigeria,” Touray said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s strategic role within ECOWAS remained indispensable, noting that Tinubu’s administration consistently demonstrated leadership whenever the region required direction.
“Nigeria’s role in West Africa continues to be extremely important, and I am happy that the president appreciates this role and the leaders, including the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and all cabinet members of Nigeria, they have played their role wherever they were called upon to lead the region,” he added.
Touray visited the Presidential Villa to bid farewell to the President ahead of the expiration of the current ECOWAS Commission’s mandate at the end of August.
He explained that the visit was an opportunity to personally express appreciation for Tinubu’s unwavering support to the regional bloc during his tenure.
“As you know, the mandate of the existing ECOWAS management ends at the end of this month, and I’ve had the opportunity to come and bid His Excellency President Tinubu farewell as we prepare to hand over and leave office, and that’s the purpose of my visit to the State House,” he said.
Describing Tinubu as a pillar of regional cooperation, Touray said the Nigerian leader’s contributions had extended beyond the country’s borders to the wider African continent.
“President Tinubu has been a pillar in the region, and we couldn’t leave without thanking him for the role he has played, and he continues to play, not only for Nigeria but for the entire region and Africa.
“And he’s been gracious to give me this audience, and I will come to bid him farewell,” he said.
Reflecting on his two-year tenure leading the ECOWAS Commission, Touray said serving alongside Tinubu had been both an honour and a learning experience, citing the President’s openness, generosity and commitment to the vision of a more integrated West Africa.
“I have been humbled by the president’s generosity and openness. I served under him as President of the Commission for two years.
“As you know, President Tinubu served as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority for two terms, and he has demonstrated leadership. He has shown commitment to West Africa’s future, to West African integration.
“So I feel privileged to have this opportunity to work with him, listen to his counsel and his advice,” he said.
