**says Nigerian leader’s stewardship reinforced regional unity and strengthened cooperation across West Africa.

 

 

Outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, on Thursday credited President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria with playing a decisive role in easing tensions across West Africa, describing the Nigerian leader as a steadfast champion of regional stability and integration.

Speaking to State House correspondents after a farewell audience with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Touray said the Nigerian leader’s stewardship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had helped strengthen cooperation among member states at a challenging period for the sub-region.

“If today we are saying tensions have gone down in West Africa, we should give credit to President Tinubu and to Nigeria,” Touray said.

He noted that Nigeria’s leadership remains indispensable to the peace, security and development of the sub-region.

“Nigeria’s role in West Africa continues to be extremely important, and I am happy that the President appreciates this role. The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and other cabinet members have also played their part whenever they were called upon to provide leadership for the region,” he added.

Touray said his visit was to formally bid farewell to President Tinubu ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the current ECOWAS Commission management at the end of August, while also expressing appreciation for Nigeria’s unwavering support for the regional bloc.

“As you know, the mandate of the existing ECOWAS management ends at the end of this month, and I have had the opportunity to come and bid His Excellency President Tinubu farewell as we prepare to hand over and leave office.

“President Tinubu has been a pillar in the region, and we could not leave without thanking him for the role he has played, and continues to play, not only for Nigeria but for the entire region and Africa. He has been gracious enough to grant me this audience to personally bid him farewell,” he said.

Reflecting on his two-year tenure as President of the ECOWAS Commission, Touray described Tinubu as a leader whose commitment to regional integration and collective security left a lasting impact on the bloc.

He recalled that Tinubu served two terms as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, during which he demonstrated unwavering dedication to advancing the organisation’s ideals.

“I have been humbled by the President’s generosity and openness. I served under him as President of the Commission for two years.
“As you know, President Tinubu served as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority for two terms, and he demonstrated leadership and unwavering commitment to the future and integration of West Africa.
“I consider it a privilege to have worked with him and to have benefited from his counsel and advice,” Touray said.