President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to participate in events marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The golden jubilee celebration, which began in April in Accra, Ghana, will continue with ceremonies in Lagos, including a reenactment of the 1975 founding declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.
According to a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and posted on X, the President—who is also Chairman of ECOWAS—will address the gathering at Eko Hotels and Suites, highlighting the bloc’s achievements over five decades.
Former Minister of External Affairs and Chairman of the NIIA, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, will deliver a review of ECOWAS’ 50-year journey, followed by panel discussions. Retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the only surviving signatory to the 1975 ECOWAS declaration, will participate in the ceremonies and deliver a keynote speech.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, is also expected to give a welcome address.
While in Lagos, President Tinubu will, on Saturday, May 31, commission several major infrastructure projects.
“Among them are Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, 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.
The President will virtually commission Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and Yakasai-Zalli Road and flag off the Kano Northern By-pass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur Malumfashi, and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.
“President Tinubu will observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja.”
