President Bola Tinubu has emerged Chairman of Authority of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
President Tinubu, who attended the forum of West African leaders for the first time at the 63rd Ordinary Session, was announced as Chairman on Sunday in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau.
Tinubu took over the chairmanship of the regional organisation from the outgoing leader of the sub-regional political and economic body, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau.
Tinubu emphasised the need to protect the democratic culture in the sub-region, saying “we will take democracy seriously. Democracy is very tough but it is the best form of government”.
As the Chairman, he will play a crucial role in leading the ECOWAS member states towards economic development, political stability, and cooperation.
He is also expected to collaborate closely with member states, regional institutions, and international partners to implement initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, regional trade integration, and social
The new ECOWAS Chairman will seek to strengthen the region’s collective response to security threats and foster closer cooperation among member states in addressing regional challenges.
Tinubu joined his counterparts to address memoranda on five pressing sub-regional issues.
They include a Report of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council covering security challenges faced by the member countries, a Report of the 90th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Other matters slated for consideration are the Report on the status of Transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, the Memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and the Report on Obstacles to the Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan- Lagos corridor.
While in Guinea-Bissau, the Nigerian leader is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings and other engagements on the sidelines of the Summit.
He had earlier visited the Nigerian troops on a peace keeping mission in Guinea-Bissau.
President Tinubu is expected back in the country on Monday.
