JUST IN: Buhari Attends As ECOWAS Discusses Security Challenges In Nigeria, Others

President Muhammadu Buhari was spotted alongside other regional leaders participating in the 59th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Governments holding in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday.

In his welcome address monitored by our correspondent, Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Akufo-Addo, said they have all come together to brainstorm on the various challenges bedeviling their respective regions.

He noted that terrorist activities in Nigeria and other countries were negatively impacting on the corporate objectives of the regional body, which is geared towards socio-economic progress and peace.

But he expressed optimism that the leaders would fashion out a way forward for the West African bloc.

“I am convinced that the decisions we take together…will commensurate the ambitions we have for our region.

“I hope we can agree quickly on these matters so that we can have the time to delve into decisions on great issues which face us; of terrorism, violent extremism, democracy , peace and security, health and the fight against covid-19 pandemic and the rapid economic recovery of our region.

“Unfortunately, we are still confronted with serious security challenges, deadly terrorist attacks and kidnapping , not only in the frontline countries namely Mali… Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger; and also in the coastal countries of our region such as Côte d’Ivoire,” he said.

On behalf of ECOWAS, Akufo-Addo condoled with the nation of Burkina Faso over a recent terrorist attack that killed over 100 people including children.

“The terrorist attack which resulted in the death 132 people in Burkina Faso is the latest of such outrage,” he added.

There are fifteen members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Mali was exempted from the meeting due to the political instability in the country traceable to a military coup.

Among those who spoke at the opening ceremony was Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina, who heads the African Development Bank (AfDB).

He appreciated President Buhari for supporting him so far.

“I wish to say a special thank you to my president, Muhammadu Buhari for nominating me and standing solidly behind and beside me through thick and thin,” he said.