Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, participated in a ceremonial signing of a commemorative card to mark the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday in preparation for the landmark event. His presidential aircraft touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja at precisely 4:15 p.m. Upon arrival, the President was warmly received by a high-level delegation led by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Other top government officials, diplomats, and dignitaries were also on hand to welcome him, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
General Yakubu Gowon, the only surviving head of state among the original signatories of the 1975 treaty, was specially honored at the event. He was recognized for his visionary leadership and foundational role in establishing ECOWAS, a regional bloc that has since grown to become a central pillar of cooperation and development in West Africa.
The commemorative event took place in the conference chamber of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), the historic venue where the original ECOWAS treaty was signed in 1975. The occasion honored the founding vision of the regional bloc and its continuing pursuit of economic and political integration among West African nations.
The event also witnessed the presence of several West African leaders. The Presidents of Liberia, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau attended in person and jointly issued a declaration reaffirming their commitment to the founding ideals and collective aspirations of ECOWAS.
Other member states were represented by high-level delegations. However, the nations of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso were notably absent, having withdrawn from the regional bloc amid ongoing political tensions.
The 50th anniversary celebration not only highlighted the rich history of ECOWAS but also called attention to the urgent need for renewed commitment among member nations to tackle regional issues such as security, economic development, democratic governance, and intra-African trade.
As ECOWAS enters its sixth decade, the commemorative event in Lagos served as both a tribute to its founding figures and a rallying point for its future.