President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to join other regional leaders in marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The golden jubilee celebration, which began last month in Accra, Ghana, will continue with key events in Lagos, including a symbolic reenactment of the 1975 founding declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.
As Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu will deliver a keynote address at a commemorative event at Eko Hotels and Suites, where he will reflect on the bloc’s achievements over the past five decades.
A statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said former Minister of External Affairs and Chairman of the NIIA, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, will present a review of ECOWAS’s 50-year journey, followed by a panel discussion.
Retired General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State and the only surviving signatory to the original ECOWAS treaty, will participate in the ceremonies and deliver a goodwill message.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, will give the welcome address.
While in Lagos, President Tinubu will, on Saturday, May 31, commission key infrastructure projects including 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 same highway, and the 7th Axial Road.
He will also virtually commission the Kano-Kwanar-Danja-Hadejia Section II Road, Yakasai-Zalli Road, and flag off the Kano Northern Bypass and several segments of the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya roads.
President Tinubu will observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja.
