ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu will travel from Abuja to Lagos on Tuesday. His visit includes leading celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The President will also commission several important infrastructure projects during this Lagos trip. Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, announced these plans Monday.
ECOWAS Marks Golden Jubilee in Lagos
The Lagos events for the ECOWAS 50 years celebration follow an earlier launch in Accra. Key activities include a reenactment of the 1975 ECOWAS declaration. This will take place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island. A main event will be held at Eko Hotels and Suites. Here, President Tinubu, in his role as ECOWAS Chairman, will highlight the bloc’s achievements over the past half-century.
Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman of NIIA and a former Minister of External Affairs, will review the 50-year journey of ECOWAS. His review will be discussed by a panel. Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the only surviving signatory of the original ECOWAS declaration, is also expected to speak. Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, will give the welcome address.
Commissioning of Key Infrastructure Projects
A significant part of the President’s agenda includes Lagos projects commissioning on Saturday, May 31. President Tinubu will commission Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He will also commission the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road. The flag-off of Section II of the Coastal Highway is also scheduled. The statement noted, “The President will also commission the 7th Axial Road and virtually inaugurate major projects in Kano and Katsina, including the Kano Northern By-pass and several road sections.” Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu is expected to observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks.
By Abdullah Korede
