Former Head of State and one of the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has reiterated that Nigeria has no permanent enemies or friends, but permanent interests.
This was in response to concerns from the West that that country and Africa are increasingly partnering with Russia.
He made the remarks at the International Conference on ‘ECOWAS at 50: A Story of Resilience and Integration,’ held in Lagos, and organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), in partnership with Konard-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), in Lagos.
On fear of Russia, he said: “During our time, there was also that fear as well that our policies created at that time wouldn’t suit Nigeria. Nigeria does not have a permanent enemy or friend but interests, so that is the way we try to look at problems and to ensure we are able to find some solutions to them. Rest assured that we would make sure such relations do not influence our relationships with those countries, and we take note so we ensure we do not create problems for ourselves.”
Acknowledging that ECOWAS is currently undergoing some challenges such as insecurity and exit of three countries, Gowon recalled that though there were different types of governments – military and socialists – in power in the various countries at the time the bloc was established, , everyone acted with a specific interest of driving the region forward.
NIIA’s Director-General, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, observed that ECOWAS has, over the last 50 years, proven itself to, perhaps, be the most successful model for regional integration in the Global South.
He added that the bloc set the pace for what today is called the African solution to African problems.
German Consul General, Weert Börner, reiterated his country’s commitment to ECOWAS.
According to him, Currently, the German Federal Government is supporting ECOWAS in several areas through different projects, summing up to a budget of 500 million Euros. The budge does not include projects that were recently concluded or bilateral projects with member states of ECOWAS.
He noted that some of such projects include; mediation and crisis prevention, through training for peace-keeping units, both for military, police and civil personnel, technical support for ECOWAS partnership for cybersecurity, public health, energy, sustainable economic development and education.
Resident Representative, KAS, Nigeria, Marija Peran, recollected that from inception, the sub-regional body has embodied the aspirations of a people determined to harness their shared destinies in pursuit of integration, peace and sustainable development.
Former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, emphasised the need to recognise that ECOWAS is a work in progress, adding that the region would not finish solving its problems.
RELATEDLY, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, tasked West African countries on unity and economic stability to foster growth and development in the sub-region.
He gave the charge in his speech during the First Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, titled “One Region, One Dream: Advancing the Promise of West Africa.”
He said even if physical land borders divide the lands, they must never divide their purpose.
Akpabio urged the parliamentarians to use their opportunity of converging on Abuja to renew their pledge to build a united West Africa, where the region’s economies would thrive, cultures flourish, and children inherit a legacy of peace, prosperity, and unshakable unity.
The Senate President said: “ECOWAS was never meant to be a concept; it was meant to be a clarion call to every West African. Our journey to greatness has just begun, and together, we can write a new chapter in the history of our beloved region.”
