By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
LEADERS FROM across West Africa will converge in Lagos on Tuesday as Nigeria hosts events marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Bola Tinubu is expected to depart Abuja for Lagos, where the golden jubilee celebrations will continue following their earlier commencement in Accra.
The schedule includes a symbolic reenactment of the 1975 ECOWAS declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.
A key event at Eko Hotels and Suites will see the ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu, reflect on the bloc’s economic progress since inception.
Former Minister of External Affairs and NIIA Chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, will present a detailed review of the five-decade journey, setting the stage for a panel analysis.
Participating in the commemorations is General Yakubu Gowon (Retired), the only surviving Head of State who signed the original ECOWAS declaration.
He will attend all ceremonies and deliver a keynote speech at the Eko Hotels gathering.
Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, will deliver the official welcome address at the Lagos celebration.
Saturday, 31 May, will see President Tinubu commission several critical infrastructure projects.
These include Section I of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road, the flag-off of Section II of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, and the 7th Axial Road.
Additional projects to be virtually commissioned include Kano–Kanwar–Danja–Hadejiya Section II Road, Yakasai–Zalli Road, and the Kano Northern By-pass.
Other flagged projects include Zaria–Hunkuyi–Dabai Section I, Dabai–Kafur–Malumfashi, and Malumfashi–Dayi–Yashe–Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.
Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks.
