By Okey Muogbo
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume has reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to regional integration especially the West African sub region.
Akume stated this at the 49th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) organized by the ECOWAS Youths Organisation.
The event which held in Abuja was to honour the founding fathers of the ECOWAS and other trailblazers of the sub region who have contributed to its progress.
The occasion was also used to launch an ECOWAS multilingual Institute which the Organisation wants to build in Abuja.
Said Akume: “Nigerian has a conducive and friendly clime, always open to the outside world and ever ready to partner with any nation towards the attainment of Regional Integration, peace and economic development.
“I therefore wish to assure you that Nigeria is open for genuine partnership and direct foreign investments. The Nigerian government will continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country thereby boosting the economies of all parties involved.
“This landmark celebration of excellence, which coincide with ECOWAS’s 49th Anniversary Celebration this year, not only commemorates nearly five decades of ECOWAS’s achievements but also, reinforces the commitment of its institutions to work in synergy towards a peaceful, united, and prosperous West Africa. As ECOWAS looks ahead to its Vision 2050, the collaborative efforts that will be demonstrated today will undoubtedly serve as a cornerstone for future successes.
“Let me seize this opportunity to commend ECO-YOUTH over its plans to build ECOWAS Multilingual Institute here in Abuja, which will be launched during the Awards Ceremony.
“I must say without mincing words that I am impressed with the proposed Institute’s vision, seeing that when it becomes fully operational by the special grace of the Almighty God, it will help enhance easy interactions among citizens of our Sub-Region thereby breaking communication barrier, an obvious impediment to effective regional integration.
“I therefore appeal for the support and cooperation of all Member-States as well as that of public-spirited individuals within our Sub-Region towards the success of this noble project”, Senator Akume added.
In his welcome address, Crown Prince Ekwe commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts to sustain Democracy in Africa.
He recalled that: “we the youths of West Africa are proud of your leadership of the Zone. This is not an occasion for long speech or the celebration of the achievements of the incumbent Chairman of ECOWAS but we recall with nostalgia, the dogged fight you put up when Democracy became endangered in the Sub Region and forces of despotism were sweeping across West Africa.
“Mr President, your deft diplomatic moves halted the sudden rise in undemocratic leaderships in the Zone immediately you assumed the Chairmanship of ECOWAS.
“But for that your swift intervention, much of West Africa would have said goodbye to Democracy under Nigeria’s chairmanship of the ECOWAS. History will certainly record you as the great African leader who halted the spread of autocracy in West Africa in this century.
“Your Excellency, this singular patriotic intervention and other numerous milestones achieved by ECOWAS since 1975 in the areas of Trade, tourism, security, sports, etc are what we have gathered here to celebrate”, he said.
