Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, and President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, led other West African leaders at the signing of a commemorative card marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The event was held in the conference chamber of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) where the original ECOWAS treaty was signed in 1975.
General Gowon, the only surviving leader among the original signatories of the treaty that established the ECOWAS, was specially honored for his pioneering role in promoting regional integration.
Also in attendance were the Presidents of Liberia (Joseph Boakai), Togo (Faure Gnassingbé Eyadéma), and Guinea-Bissau (Umaro Sissoco Embaló), who jointly issued a declaration reaffirming their commitment to the founding ideals and aspirations of ECOWAS.
Presidents of other member states were represented at the event, with the exception of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which have withdrawn from the regional bloc due to political disagreements.
