Gowon, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Akinyemi Express Optimism As ECOWAS Turns 50
As ECOWAS marks its golden jubilee, regional leaders are upbeat about its future despite recent setbacks.
At a commemorative roundtable hosted by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the milestone as an opportunity to open “new vistas” for the bloc.
Chaired by former Head of State and ECOWAS founding father, General Yakubu Gowon, the event featured a keynote by former Foreign Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, and drew in voices past and present under the theme “ECOWAS, An African Model @ 50: Resilience and Future Prospects.”
Both Gowon and Akinyemi expressed hope that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—now part of the Alliance of Sahel States—may yet return to the fold.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged member states to recommit to unity and regional progress, praising the forum’s vibrant dialogue. Professor Akinyemi encouraged empathy towards breakaway nations, suggesting they’ll realise ECOWAS remains vital for peace and stability.
ECOWAS President Dr. Alieu Touray outlined plans for a future-focused summit, while UN envoy Leonardo Santos Simão commended the bloc’s steady leadership and pledged continued support.
