ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to lead celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The golden jubilee festivities, which were formally flagged off in Accra last month, will continue with a series of high-level events in Lagos. These will include a symbolic reenactment of the historic 1975 ECOWAS declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.
As Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu will deliver a keynote address at the commemorative event scheduled to hold at Eko Hotels and Suites, where he will reflect on the regional body’s achievements over the past five decades.
Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of External Affairs and current Chairman of the NIIA, will present a comprehensive review of ECOWAS’s 50-year journey. A panel session will follow, featuring leading analysts and regional experts.
A historic presence at the ceremony will be former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the only surviving signatory to the original ECOWAS declaration. He is expected to attend all the major events and deliver a goodwill message.
Also expected is Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who will present the official welcome address.
In addition to the anniversary celebrations, President Tinubu will commission a slate of key infrastructure projects on Saturday, May 31. These include:
He will also virtually commission several projects in northern Nigeria, including:
President Tinubu is expected to observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House Mosque in Dodan Barracks before returning to Abuja.