Abuja, July 7, 2024 – President Bola Tinubu, the outgoing Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, on Sunday advised member states to fulfil their financial obligations to the regional body to effectively tackle security challenges.
His one-year tenure will end on Tuesday, July 9.
Tinubu gave the advice during the 65th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja.
He said ECOWAS required substantial financial resources to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) and combat terrorism, banditry and violent extremism.
Tinubu said that fulfilling these commitments would help to stabilize the region and counter insecurity.
He also said by meeting their financial commitments, ECOWAS member states would demonstrate their dedication to regional security and cooperation, enabling the community to better address the security challenges facing West Africa.
“We must, therefore, ensure that we meet the expectations and recommendations set forth by our ministers of Defense and Finance in order to counter the insecurity and stabilise our region.
“Member states must make extra commitment on providing resources for stabilizing the region.
“To this end, I urge ECOWAS to leverage on the capability of the Nigeria National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), which is widely acknowledge as one of the best on the continent.
“The Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member states benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities it offers.
“Your excellencies, dear heads of state, I urge those of you with time to visit the centre before your departure and assess first-hand on the facilities and the capabilities of NCTC,” President Tinubu said.
“I’m also fully aware of other challenges confronting our region, especially the economic hurdles that hinder our progress to elevate our people from poverty to prosperity. It is imperative that we unite as a community and develop innovative approaches to unleash our vast economic potentials
“We must continue to identify and develop partnerships that promote investment in key sectors and promote regional trade.
“Furthermore, we must invest in our infrastructure and cultivate a conducive business environment to empower our community to stimulate growth and build resilience against external shock. Together we can pave the way for a prosperous future for all ECOWAS countries
“I also acknowledge the financial challenges of our organization. Difficult economic conditions and consistent payment of financial commitment to ECOWAS have contributed to the current plight, to ensure ECOWAS has adequate resources for its programmes and activities, I urge all member states to ensure full compliance to the protocol on the community levy.
“Nigeria, under my leadership, is committed to leading by example by remitting its collected levies to the organisation,” he said.
Dr. Omar Touray,, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, said the region has proven that democracy is alive given the successful transition in Semgal, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia, in recent time.
“We look forward to the consolidation of this trend in the region as we prepare for a major election in Ghana later this year.”
“Governance deficit and marginalisation have strained social contracts, engendering bitter rivalries and unhealthy competition.
“To complicate the situation, our region has become the arena of geo-strategic and geo-political rivalries and the theatre of misinformation and disinformation that engenders mistrust among and within communities and undermine social cohesion.” (GBN)
