By Innocent Odoh and Modupe Oyewale In Port Harcourt
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament Rt. Hon Memounatou Ibrahima, has expressed optimism that the regional legislature will have a befitting 25th anniversary to celebrate its achievements over the years despite the challenges facing the region.
The Speaker made this known in her closing remarks at the 2025 Second Extraordinary Session of the Parliament in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday. The session was preceded by the Second Parliamentary Seminar dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI), where the Parliamentarians and experts deliberated on deploying AI for effective legislation.
The leader of the Togolese Delegation to the Parliament said the anniversary celebration will be held between 14 and 16 of November, 2025, adding that the Bureau is actively working on organizing a successful and harmonious commemoration.
She said “as soon as preparations are finalized, a formal invitation will be addressed to you. We count on your presence to mark this historic event together, “she told stakeholders.
She appreciated all the experts, media professionals, interpreters, security agents, and all individuals whose discreet dedication contributed to the success of this session, stressing that reflections from the seminar will inspire an innovative, ethical, and forward-looking parliamentary institution.
Speaking to reporters after the end of the Second Extraordinary Session, a lawmaker from the Gambia Maimouna Cessay, said the 25th anniversary is a celebration of success, adding that the Founding fathers of the ECOWAS laid a solid foundation for integration and inclusivity such that somebody from a poor background can become a member of the Parliament.
Cessay, who is the Secretary General of ECOWAS Female Parliamentarian Association (ECOFEPA), said “That is a very good initiative for Africa to lead and foresee a big future ahead of us. The challenges we are facing right now, instability, unemployment these are the very challenges each nation is facing in the world especially in West Africa.
“Our leaders must have a very innovative mind to involve the youth in development. This AI is making life easier for everybody. But as long as the government does not participate, and does not engage the youth, we are still going to have a problem. That problem can be solved with dialogue and the dialogue will lead us to peace.”
Another lawmaker from Ghana, Eric Afful, who just took his oath of office as one of the new members from the Ghanaian delegation, expressed delight to have joined the regional body at this anniversary year and pledged to offer his support for the activities.