Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to prioritise regional unity, economic integration and stronger cooperation among West African countries.
Shettima made the call in New York, United States, during a meeting with a delegation of the ECOWAS Commission led by its new President, General Birame Diop (retd.), on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Vice President said the new leadership should focus on building stronger ties among member states while developing programmes and policies capable of improving the lives and livelihoods of people across the sub-region.
He also urged the Commission to strengthen private-sector participation in major regional infrastructure projects, particularly the Lagos-Abidjan Highway.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the Commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region,” Shettima said.
He added that ECOWAS should remain at the forefront of engagement with emerging regional blocs, including the Alliance of Sahel States.
“I urge ECOWAS under your leadership to champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among our people,” he said.
Shettima congratulated Diop on assuming leadership of the Commission, noting that he was taking office at a challenging period that required greater cooperation, cohesion and coordination among West African leaders and institutions.
The Vice President assured the new ECOWAS leadership of Nigeria’s continued support for efforts aimed at strengthening the regional body and advancing economic development and stability across West Africa.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to initiatives designed to transform ECOWAS and promote the development of the sub-region.
“My boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a man of honour and conviction who will always support efforts aimed at advancing the transformation of ECOWAS as a regional body, and the progress of the area in general,” Shettima said.
He added that Nigeria would continue to provide an enabling environment for ECOWAS to effectively pursue the vision and objectives of its founding leaders.
Earlier, Diop acknowledged Nigeria’s longstanding role in the establishment and development of ECOWAS, as well as the country’s contributions to peace, stability and economic cooperation in West Africa.
He said the Commission was confronting security and development challenges that would require strong cooperation from Nigeria and other member states.
Diop described ECOWAS as an important platform for regional stability and integration, urging member countries to deepen cooperation with Nigeria and one another to promote inclusive development and improve the future of West Africans.
The meeting came weeks after Diop officially assumed office as President of the ECOWAS Commission, succeeding Dr Omar Alieu Touray.
Those present at the meeting included senior Nigerian government officials and representatives of the ECOWAS Commission.