Gowon, Akinyemi, Odumegwu-Ojukwu Predict Brighter Future For ECOWAS

Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, believes that the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will usher the region into new vistas of development.

This comes as former Nigerian leader and only surviving founding father of ECOWAS, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), and ex-Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, declared that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the three Member States that recently left ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), could still rejoin the organisation.

The minister made the remarks at the Roundtable Conference, “ECOWAS, An African Model @ 50: Resilience and Future Prospects,” held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of the regional body’s golden jubilee activities.

Gowon presided over the event, which featured Akinyemi as the keynote speaker, as well as key players in continental affairs such as President of ECOWAS, Dr. Alieu Touray, former President of ECOWAS, Dr. Ibn Chambas, former Prime Minister of Guinea, Lansana Kouyate, and Vice Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Selma Malika Haddadi, among others.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged participants to renew their commitment to shared responsibility and uphold the long-standing principles of unity, peace, and development that served as the foundation for their regional integration efforts.

She paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers, particularly Gowon, noting that the contributions of the lead speaker, Akinyemi, and the discussants had enriched their collective reflection and reaffirmed the shared vision’s long-term relevance.

She stated, “During our discussions, we have had a unique opportunity to reflect on ECOWAS’s remarkable journey as a regional body. We examined its significant contributions to regional solidarity through peacekeeping, economic integration, sectoral policy harmonisation, and democratic governance promotion.

“Equally important, this forum provided us with the opportunity to critically examine the Community’s pressing challenges, ranging from political instability and governance deficits to economic disparities.”

Looking ahead, today’s rich exchange of ideas and perspectives has laid the groundwork for ECOWAS to take a more resilient, inclusive, and visionary path.

“As we conclude this important gathering, allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your presence, thoughtful contributions and insights, as well as your unwavering commitments to the vision and ideals that inspired the establishment of our Regional Economic Community five decades ago,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.

Akinyemi, who cited ECOWAS’ numerous achievements, particularly in peacekeeping, free movement of people and goods, regional integration, and peer review, urged the remaining members to be compassionate towards Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

He stated, “When the Sahel countries realise that by leaving ECOWAS, they were unable to contain the Jihadists and the insecurity in the region, they will understand that leaving was not the solution.

When they see that the energy crisis persists, as well as the other challenges they face, they will begin to understand the importance of regional integration.

“So, I share our President’s and Gen. Gowon’s optimism this morning that they will return. And, as General Gowon advised, we should threaten them with compassion rather than rubbing it in their faces.

Dr. Alieu Touray, President of ECOWAS, emphasised in his presentation that the three exiting member states of the organisation were critical to the region’s security, including free movement of people and regional integration.

He also discussed ECOWAS’s future plans. “We are considering a summit on the future of ECOWAS. We must mainstream poverty alleviation. Second, collaborate on strategies for dealing with insecurity. The region’s disunity poses a threat to our security.

“ECOWAS must prioritise peace and security. ECOWAS must prioritise governance and accountability. Good governance leads to development. The President of the ECOWAS Commission stated that in order to boost intracommunity trade, we must address infrastructure issues.

The United Nations Special Representative for ECOWAS and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, praised ECOWAS for effectively managing the conflict over the Sahel States’ exit.

According to him, the organisation was able to manage the emotions involved and travelled to Bamako for talks.

“I must tell you that I was in Niger last week and witnessed how they reacted to the move. This is an accomplishment that only a mature organisation can pull off.

“As UN, we congratulate ECOWAS on its 50th anniversary and will continue to look for collaborations,” he said.