Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission to prioritise regional unity and integration in advancing the progress of the sub-region’s people and economy.

Mr Shettima stated this on Friday in New York, United States, when he met with a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission.

The delegation was led by its new President, Gen. Birame Diop (retd) on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He also urged the commission to build bridges of friendship and promote programmes and policies that would significantly impact the lives and livelihoods of people across the sub-region.

Mr Shettima also implored the new leadership of the sub-regional body to take private sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan highway project.

“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region.

“ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

“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.

He congratulated the commission’s new president on his election, noting that he assumed office at a difficult time that would require greater synergy and cohesion among leaders and people of the sub-region.

Mr Shettima assured Mr Diop of Nigeria’s continuous cooperation and support.

He stated, “My boss, President Bola 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.”

He said Nigeria would continue to create the enabling environment for ECOWAS as a body to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the vision and objectives set by its founding fathers.

Earlier, Mr Diop eulogised Nigeria for the role it played in the establishment and sustenance of ECOWAS over the years.

He also commended Nigeria for its sacrifices towards the stability and prosperity of the sub-region despite the challenges.

Mr Diop decried rising concerns regarding insecurity and lagging development across the sub-region.

He said the commission was facing unique challenges that required Nigeria’s direct intervention as a “big brother” to be successfully resolved.

He described ECOWAS as a tool for regional stability that should be encouraged and supported at all times.

The commission’s president appealed to other countries in the sub-region to cooperate with Nigeria to ensure inclusive development and a better future for the people of the sub-region.

The meeting had Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) in attendance.

Others are the Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, and top officials from the ECOWAS Commission, among others. 

(NAN)