Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Gowon, Akinyemi Say Future of Ecowas Bright

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Gowon, Akinyemi Say Future of Ecowas Bright

Lagos (basic reporter) Minister of Foreign Affairs, the white ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said that the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of States of West Africa (Ecowas), would have inaugurated new panoramas for the regional body.

This is the former Nigerian leader and the surviving founding father of Ecowas, General Yakubu Gowon and the former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, declared that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the three Member States who recently came out Ecowas and formal the alliance of the Sahel states (Eas) could still return to the fold.

The minister made the observations to the conference on the round table, convened under the theme: “Ecowas, an African model @ 50: resilience and future perspectives”, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (Niia), Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of the activities that marked the Golden Jubilee of the regional organism.

Gowon chaired the event that characterized Akinyemi as the main speaker while the discussions were key actors in the business of the continent, including the president of Ecowas, dr. Alieu Touray, former president of Ecowas, dr. Ibn Chambas among others.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu has in charge of participants to renew their commitment to shared responsibility and to support the lasting principles of unity, peace and development which was the foundation of their regional integration efforts.

He made a brilliant tribute to the founding fathers, in particular Gowon, observing that the contributions of the main speaker; Akinyemi and discussions had enriched their collective reflection and reaffirmed the relevant relevance of the shared vision.

“During our discussions, we were offered a unique opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey of Ecowa as a regional organ. We have examined its significant contributions to the maintenance of peace, the economic integration, the harmonization of sectoral policies and the promotion of democratic governance to strengthen regional solidarity.

“Equally important, this forum has granted us the opportunity to critically examine the urgent challenges that face the community, from political instability and from the governance deficits to economic disparities. Looking to the future, these rich exchanges of ideas and prospects that we shared today laid the foundations for the creation of a more resilient, inclusive and visionary path for Ecowas.

“As we bring to the end of this important gathering, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to each of you for your presence, your weighted contributions and intuitions, as well as your unwavering commitments for the vision and ideals that inspired the foundation of our regional economic community five decades ago,” said Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Akinyemi who listed the numerous results of Ecowas, in particular, in the maintenance of peace, in the free movement of people and goods, regional integration and a peer revision, urged the remaining members to be compassionate with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

He said: “When the Sahel countries realize that in retiring from Ecowas, they were unable to contain jihadists, insecurity in the region, then they will know that it was not the solution. When they see that the energy crisis is still there and other challenges they have faced, then they will begin to consider the essence of regional integration.

“So, I share the optimism expressed this morning by our president and Gen. Gowon, who will find the way back. And as recommended to Gen. Gowon, we should threaten them with compassion, we should not rub it in the face.”

In his presentation, the president of EcoWas, dr. Alieu Touray, he reiterated that the three Member States left the EcoWas were fundamental for the safety of the region, including the free movement of people and the regional integration.

He also spoke of the plans for Ecowas in the next phase of his trajectory.

“We are thinking of a summit on the future of Ecowa. We must integrate the need to alleviate poverty. Secondly, it is working together on how to deal with insecurity. Disunity in the region threatens our security.

“Peace and security must be priority for Ecowas. Governance must also be a priority for EcoWas, responsibility. If you have a good government, you have development. To increase the Intra community trade, we must face infrastructures,” said the president of the EcoWas Commission.

In addition, observing, the United Nations special representative for Ecowas and Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, greeted Ecowas for the ability shown in the management of the conflict relating to the exit of the Sahel states.

According to him, the organization was able to manage the feelings involved and went to Bamako for discussions.

“I must tell you that I was in Niger last week and I know how they received that move. This is a result that only a mature organization can cross.

“As United Nations, we congratulate Ecowas for its 50th anniversary and we will continue to look for collaborations,” he said.