Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the new leadership of the ECOWAS Commission to prioritize regional unity and integration in advancing the progress of the sub-region’s people and economy.
Shettima stated this on Friday in New York, United States, when he granted audience to a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission.
The delegation was led by its new president, retired Gen. Birame Diop, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He also urged the commission to build bridges of friendship and promote programmes and policies that would significantly impact the lives and livelihoods of people across the sub-region.
Shettima also implored the new leadership of the sub-regional body to take private sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan highway project.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region.
“ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“I urge ECOWAS under your leadership to champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among our people,” he said.
He congratulated the commission’s new president on his election, noting that he assumed office at a difficult time that would require greater synergy and cohesion among leaders and people of the sub-region.
