By Folakemi Popoola, JKNewsMedia Reporter
RENEWED CALLS have been made for greater integration among member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to counter regional barriers that continue to hinder economic progress in West Africa.
Towards this end, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged ECOWAS nations to prioritise economic cooperation, peace, and inclusivity by eliminating trade restrictions and ensuring seamless movement across borders.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar held at the Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of strengthening institutions, fostering economic collaboration, and addressing security challenges.
The seminar marked ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary and 25 years of the ECOWAS Parliament.
He highlighted Lagos’s role as a key driver of regional economic activities, describing the city as a hub for trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
He reaffirmed Lagos’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS in overcoming common challenges such as security threats, economic instability, and climate change.
ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, praised the organisation’s achievements over five decades, while Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, commended Lagos for hosting the milestone celebration.
