Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged Nigeria’s continued cooperation and support to the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.
Shettima made the pledge on Friday in New York, United States, when he received a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission led by its new President, General Birame Diop (rtd), on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Vice President congratulated Diop on his election, noting that he assumed office at a difficult period that required greater synergy and cohesion among leaders and people of the sub-region.
He urged the new ECOWAS leadership to prioritise regional unity and integration while implementing programmes and policies capable of improving the lives and livelihoods of citizens across West Africa.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region,” Shettima said.
He urged ECOWAS to strengthen its engagement with emerging regional blocs, particularly the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as Alliance of Sahel States (AES),” he said.
Shettima further charged the new leadership to strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among West African countries.
“I urge ECOWAS under your leadership to champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among our people,” the Vice President said.
He also called on the commission to ensure that its policies and programmes have a direct impact on the people of the sub-region.
According to him, regional integration should translate into practical benefits for citizens, including stronger economic cooperation and improved livelihoods.
Shettima assured Diop of Nigeria’s continued cooperation and support, saying the country remained committed to the success of ECOWAS.
“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,” he said.
He added that Nigeria would continue to create the enabling environment for ECOWAS to succeed.
“Nigeria will continue to create the enabling environment for ECOWAS as a body to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the vision and objectives set by its founding fathers,” Shettima said.
The Vice President also urged the new ECOWAS leadership to take private-sector participation seriously in the implementation of the Lagos-Abidjan Highway project.
He said greater involvement of the private sector would be important to the successful execution of major regional infrastructure projects.
Earlier, Diop commended Nigeria for its historic role in the establishment and sustenance of ECOWAS.
The new ECOWAS Commission president also acknowledged Nigeria’s sacrifices towards promoting stability and prosperity across the sub-region despite the challenges it has faced.
He said the regional body was confronting concerns over insecurity and lagging development, alongside other challenges requiring stronger cooperation among member states.
According to Diop, some of the challenges confronting ECOWAS required Nigeria’s intervention as a “big brother” within the sub-region.
He said, “The commission faces unique challenges that require Nigeria’s direct intervention as a big brother to be successfully resolved.”
Diop described ECOWAS as “a tool for regional stability” and called for continued support for the organisation.
“ECOWAS is a tool for regional stability that should be encouraged and supported at all times,” he said.
He also urged other countries in West Africa to cooperate with Nigeria in advancing inclusive development and improving the future of people across the region.
The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s 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.