President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Tuesday depart Abuja for Lagos to participate in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The golden jubilee celebration, which began in Accra, Ghana in April, will continue in Lagos where several symbolic and ceremonial events have been scheduled. “At the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), there will be a reenactment of the 1975 declaration that birthed ECOWAS,” the statement read.
While in Lagos, President Tinubu, who is the current Chairman of ECOWAS, will also attend a high-level event at the Eko Hotels and Suites where he will reflect on the milestones of the regional economic bloc.
“President Tinubu will outline ECOWAS achievements and its vision for the future,” Onanuga noted.
Joining the event will be the Chairman of the NIIA and former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, who will deliver a comprehensive review of ECOWAS’ 50-year journey. The statement added that a panel of experts will later analyse the review in detail.
A historic figure, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the only surviving Head of State among the founding signatories of the ECOWAS declaration, is also expected to participate in all the ceremonies and deliver a keynote address. “General Gowon’s presence will be a powerful reminder of the unity and purpose that founded ECOWAS five decades ago,” the statement emphasized.
Also expected to speak at the Lagos event is the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, who will deliver the welcome address.
In addition to the anniversary celebration, President Tinubu is scheduled to commission several major projects on Saturday, May 31. These include:
Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
The Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road
The flag-off of Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
The 7th Axial Road
The President will also commission, virtually, the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and the Yakasai-Zalli Road. He will flag off additional infrastructural developments, including the Kano Northern By-pass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur-Malumfashi, and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.
“President Tinubu will observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja,” the statement concluded.
