By Omonu YG Nelson
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has embarked on a diplomatic shuttle to West African countries to invite leaders to the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit.
As the Special Envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu visited The Gambia and Senegal to deliver the President’s official invitation letter.
During her meeting with Gambian President Adama Barrow, the Minister received a warm reception and a commitment from the President to participate in the summit.
President Barrow noted that “global reality no longer supports donor-recipient relations, given the glaring donor fatigue posturing by the West”.
He emphasised the need for intra-regional cooperation and partnership, stating that “there is no better time than now for the region to embrace intra-regional cooperation and partnership”.
The Gambian leader expressed his commitment to The Gambia’s active participation in the summit, describing it as a “historic gathering that promises to bring a turnaround in the quest for regional integration in Africa”.
The West Africa Economic Summit, scheduled to take place from June 20-21 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, aims to create a platform for sustainable economic development and integration.
The Minister and her team also visited Dakar, Senegal, where they were received by a high-ranking official of the Government. The West Africa Economic Summit is a legacy project and initiative under the auspices of President Tinubu, who is the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.