Shettima Urges New ECOWAS Leadership to Prioritise Regional Unity

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to prioritise regional unity, integration and cooperation as part of efforts to accelerate development across West Africa.

Shettima made the call on Friday in New York during a meeting with a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission led by its newly elected President, General Birame Diop (retd.), on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Vice President said the commission’s leadership should focus on strengthening relationships among member states and developing programmes capable of improving the livelihoods of people across the sub-region.

“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region,” Shettima told the delegation.

He also urged ECOWAS to strengthen engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which have withdrawn from the regional bloc.

“ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as Alliance of Sahel States (AES),” he said, adding that the commission should champion regional integration and strengthen bonds of unity and friendship among West African populations.

Shettima also called for greater private-sector involvement in the development of the Lagos-Abidjan highway project, stressing the importance of ensuring that the initiative delivers economic benefits across the region.

The Vice President congratulated Diop on his appointment, noting that he assumed leadership of the commission at a period marked by significant challenges requiring greater cooperation among West African countries.

He assured the new ECOWAS president of Nigeria’s continued support and cooperation, saying President Bola Tinubu would support initiatives aimed at strengthening the regional organisation and advancing development in West Africa.

Earlier, Diop commended Nigeria for its longstanding role in the creation and sustenance of ECOWAS, as well as its contributions to regional stability and development.

The new commission president said ECOWAS was facing challenges including insecurity and inadequate development, which, according to him, required Nigeria’s intervention as a major regional country.

Diop described ECOWAS as an important instrument for regional stability and called for continued support for the organisation.

He also urged other West African countries to work with Nigeria towards promoting inclusive development and improving the future prospects of people across the region.

The meeting was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim; and senior officials of the ECOWAS Commission.