President Bola Tinubu and former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, joined other African leaders to celebrate 50 years of ECOWAS.
The event, held on Wednesday, featured the signing of a commemorative card to honour the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The celebration took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos. This venue is symbolic, as it hosted the original signing of the ECOWAS treaty in 1975.
Gowon Honoured as the Only Surviving Founding Signatory
General Yakubu Gowon is the only surviving leader among the original founders of ECOWAS. He was given special recognition at the event.
“I am deeply touched by this honour. ECOWAS was built on unity, peace, and development,” Gowon said.
He played a key role in the formation of the regional body. During his tenure as Head of State, Nigeria worked with Togo and other nations to push for regional cooperation.
President Tinubu described General Gowon as a statesman who helped lay the foundation for unity in West Africa.
West African Presidents Reaffirm Commitment to ECOWAS
The Presidents of Liberia, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau attended the event in person. They signed a declaration renewing their support for the original goals of ECOWAS.
The declaration expressed a strong commitment to peace, democracy, and regional integration in West Africa.
Representatives from other ECOWAS member states were also present. However, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso were absent.
These three countries recently withdrew from ECOWAS due to political disputes with the bloc.
Leaders at the event called for renewed dialogue and unity across the region, despite current challenges.
Tinubu Also Set to Commission Federal Projects in Lagos
President Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday ahead of the ECOWAS anniversary celebration.
As part of his visit to his home state, he is also expected to commission several completed federal projects.
Some of these include transport infrastructure, housing developments, and public institutions funded under his administration.
The ECOWAS anniversary ceremony continued later in the day at the Eko Hotel and Suites, where delegates discussed the future of regional cooperation.
The 50th anniversary also served as a moment to reflect on the achievements and challenges of ECOWAS over the decades.
The regional bloc has been central to promoting trade, peacekeeping, and democratic governance in West Africa.
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