ECOWAS marks 49th anniversary, advocates unity against insecurity
• LCCI lauds body for promoting integration, stability
President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has said that for the bloc to achieve success in the fight against insecurity, it must remain united.
Touray made the call in his message to commemorate the 49th anniversary of ECOWAS, with the theme: “Strengthening Regional Unity, Peace and Security”. He stressed that everything must be done to preserve the unity of the region .
Touray, in a statement, said the theme of this year’s anniversary was chosen to reflect current challenges and also to remind the community of the need to work to preserve regional unity and peace, two cherished objectives set by ECOWAS founding fathers .
“These are goals that the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government work to safeguard every day through their efforts to ensure the security of our people and protect the integrity of our territories,” he said.
Heads of State and Governments of 15 West African countries established ECOWAS when they signed the ECOWAS Treaty on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, Nigeria. He said: “Precisely 49 years ago, the founding fathers signed the treaty creating the Economic Community of West African States. Since then, ECOWAS has served the region and continues to unite our peoples around the common ideals of shared prosperity.
“It is clear that we must stay united if we want to be successful in the fight against insecurity.”
We must do everything to preserve our unity, because to quote General Yakubu Gowon, one of the founding fathers of ECOWAS: “We are convinced that in unity, we will preserve peace and strengthen our actions for the security of our member states and our people”.
MEANWHILE, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), yesterday, congratulated ECOWAS on its anniversary. LCCI President, Gabriel Idahosa, said that over the past 49 years, the West African body had played a pivotal role in promoting economic integration, political stability and social progress across the entire region. Despite facing numerous challenges, including political instability, economic volatility and public health crisis, he said ECOWAS had remained resolute in its commitment to fostering regional cooperation and development.
Commending ECOWAS for its unwavering dedication to its mission and acknowledging the significant achievements that have been made in advancing regional integration and cooperation, Idahosa said these efforts had been instrumental in driving economic growth, enhancing trade and improving the quality of life for millions of people in West Africa.
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