Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged fellow members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to implement sustainable climate change actions in building resilient communities.
This call was made during the opening ceremony of the Parliamentary Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament, marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS and the 25th anniversary of the ECOWAS Parliament.
The document shared today noted that the event was held on Friday at the Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
At the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos’s role in regional integration.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu charged members to remain committed to building a prosperous, peaceful, and united West Africa, stating that trade barriers should be removed to ensure free opportunities for citizens.
He described the anniversaries as testaments to the vision, resilience, and collective will of the people of West Africa.
“We must strengthen our institutions to ensure they are responsive, inclusive, and effective. We must deepen economic integration by removing barriers to trade, investment, and the free movement of people,” he said.
He added that in promoting peace and security, the root causes of conflict must be addressed through dialogue and reconciliation.
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He highlighted key areas for investment and youth empowerment, including education, innovation, and job creation.
Speaking at the seminar themed ‘ECOWAS at 50, Parliament at 25: Reflections on Regional Integration Achievements’, Sanwo-Olu emphasized Lagos’s contribution to West Africa’s economic and cultural growth.
“As the economic and cultural hub of West Africa, Lagos has long been a melting pot of ideas, innovation, and opportunity,” he said.
He pledged Lagos’s support in tackling regional challenges like security, economic development, and climate change.
Sanwo-Olu praised ECOWAS for fostering economic cooperation, mediating conflicts, and promoting governance.
He commended the ECOWAS Parliament for advancing regional policies and integration over the past 25 years.
“Over the past 25 years, it has championed the cause of integration, advocated for the rights of citizens, and provided a forum for addressing the challenges facing our region.
From promoting free movement and trade to supporting peacekeeping missions and electoral processes, the Parliament has been at the forefront of our collective efforts to build a stronger, more united West Africa,” he noted.
ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima highlighted the bloc’s achievements in economic growth and peacekeeping.
She underscored Lagos’s significance as the host of the ECOWAS Treaty signing.
Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin, praised ECOWAS for fostering cooperation and prosperity.
He thanked Sanwo-Olu for hosting the event and commended his infrastructural strides in Lagos.
