The ECOWAS at 50 anniversary celebration on Wednesday attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, depicting a picture of pomp and pageantry.
The celebration was yet to start officially as at the time of filing this report at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, but the venue for the commemoration of the event was a beauty to behold, as exquisite decorations and messages about the establishment of ECOWAS on May 28, 1975, were on display.
The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos is set to host a public event as a build-up celebration marking 50 years of the unity, cooperation and progress of the community.
ECOWAS at 50, with the theme: “Stronger together for a brighter future” would commence with ECOWAS and Nigeria’s national anthems, respectively, by the Presidential Guards Brigade.
The programmes for the ceremony include a welcome address by the Ambassador. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of ECOWAS Council of Ministers, remarks by the President of the ECOWAS Commission and a brief documentary about the community.
Highpoints of the ceremony would be speeches by the surviving founding father of ECOWAS, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retired) and President Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria and Chair of Authority, respectively.
The outlined programme is also expected to feature the cutting of ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary cake by President Tinubu, all invited Heads of State and all former Heads of State, as well as a visit to an exhibition centred on ECOWAS history.
Other side attractions at the event, highly manned by security personnel, include dance drama and other cultural performances that reflect the rich culture of African tradition.
ECOWAS has, since its inception, recorded several achievements, including the regulation of activities of government and people in different sectors, especially those considered undesirable.
This is amid a low volume of trade among countries within Africa and the exit of 3 countries from the community, and climate change issues, among many other challenges facing the African continent. (NAN)
