President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to travel from Abuja to Lagos on Tuesday to take part in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The event will bring together West African leaders to mark the golden jubilee of the regional body, which officially began its anniversary activities last month in Accra, Ghana.
In Lagos, activities will include a symbolic reenactment of the original ECOWAS declaration made in 1975.
This ceremony is expected to take place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) located in Victoria Island.
A major event will also be held at Eko Hotels and Suites, where President Tinubu, who currently chairs ECOWAS, will speak on the organisation’s achievements since its founding.
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Also expected at the event is Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the only surviving Head of State among the original signatories of the ECOWAS treaty.
He is scheduled to attend all sessions and speak at Eko Hotels. Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, a former Minister of External Affairs and current Chairman of the NIIA, will present an overview of ECOWAS’s five-decade journey.
Panel discussions will follow, involving experts and stakeholders.
Dr Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, will deliver the welcome address.
During his stay in Lagos, President Tinubu will also launch key infrastructural projects on Saturday, May 31.
These include Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the concrete road to Lekki Deep Sea Port, and the start of Section II of the coastal highway.
The 7th Axial Road is also part of the schedule.
He will also take part in virtual commissioning of other major roads, including the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and the Yakasai-Zalli Road.
Additionally, the President will flag off work on the Kano Northern By-pass, the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur-Malumfashi Road, and the Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.
Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House in Dodan Barracks, Lagos.
