Tinubu urged the rapid activation of the Ecowas standby strength, warning the slow speed

President Tinubu Ball has voiced concerns over the slow steps to activate the power of Alert Ecowas, issuing strong calls to the leaders of West Africa for decisive action to switch from planning to concrete implementation in the war against terrorism and transnational crimes.

This urgency was highlighted in Sunday statements by special advisors for the President of Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement showed that during the 67th ordinary session of the Ecowas Authority of the Head of State and the Government in Abuja on Sunday, President Tinubu emphasized the critical needs for regional bodies to overcome increased security threats in all sub-regions.

“Ecowas standby power must switch from the concept to operational reality. I am a little worried about the slow step of its activation, which takes longer than desired,” the President said, in what marked one of his last actions as chairman of Ecowas.

He issued a strong warning that insecurity in West Africa was increasingly driven by cross -border criminal networks. “The threat that we face is transnational, driven by a nimble and dangerous network that respects the border of anyone,” Tinubu warned. He further emphasized the need for an integrated front, adding, “Therefore, no country can overcome these challenges. We must strengthen coordination, strengthen political will, and prioritize a collective approach to secure it.”

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During his term of office as the Chairperson of the Regional Bloc, the President also highlighted some of the main achievements, including the successful completion of the Ecowas military logistics depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone. “With the completion of the depot, Nigeria is committed to sea lifting and air lifting with Ecowas,” he said, noting that Nigeria recently signed a sixth agreement with the African Union in Addis Ababa to support regional cooperation.

In the front of diplomacy and unity in the block, Tinubu expressed optimism regarding the potential repayment of deferred member countries, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, to Flip. “Under my leadership, I mobilized all diplomatic ways to get involved and dialogue with our brothers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. I am sure that before it was too long, they could return to the family,” he said.

The leader of Nigeria also advocated deeper economic integration in all regions, urged the empowerment of the private sector and the elimination of existing trade barriers. “Our intra-regional trade remains low, even when we have the potential to become economic power plants,” Tinubu observed. He continued, “We must create an enabled environment, empower the private sector, and create the conditions needed for innovation to develop.”

In addition, he called for a quick execution of critical regional infrastructure projects, specifically mentioning West African gas pipelines, West African staff, and Abidjan -Lagos corridor highway, described them as “catalysts for development and integration.”

This session marked the official conclusion of the term of office of President Tinubu as Chair of the West African Bloc which consisted of 15 people.