President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos as part of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc he currently chairs.
The golden jubilee celebration, which was formally flagged off in Accra, Ghana last month, will continue in Lagos with a lineup of high-profile events aimed at reflecting on ECOWAS’s five-decade journey in promoting economic integration and political cooperation across West Africa.
One of the major highlights of the Lagos events will be a symbolic reenactment of the 1975 ECOWAS declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Victoria Island.
The NIIA ceremony will feature discussions and panel sessions reflecting on the historical formation and progress of the organization.
President Tinubu, who will address the gathering at the Eko Hotels and Suites, is expected to highlight key achievements and milestones of ECOWAS, as well as ongoing efforts to deepen regional economic cooperation.
Notably, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), the only surviving Head of State who signed the founding declaration, will attend all events and deliver a commemorative speech.
Also slated to speak is Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who will deliver the welcome address.
A comprehensive review of ECOWAS’s 50-year journey will be conducted by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of External Affairs and current Chairman of NIIA.
Beyond the anniversary celebrations, President Tinubu’s visit to Lagos will also feature the commissioning of several flagship infrastructure projects undertaken by his administration.
On Saturday, May 31, the President will officially inaugurate Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a key component of the administration’s national infrastructure renewal agenda.
Other projects scheduled for commissioning include the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road, the flag-off of Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and the launch of the 7th Axial Road.
In addition, President Tinubu will virtually commission roads in northern Nigeria, including the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and the Yakasai-Zalli Road.
He will also flag off the Kano Northern By-pass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur-Malumfashi Road, and the Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.
To mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the President is expected to observe the prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks in Lagos, before making his return to the Federal Capital Territory.
INN-HOUSE☆ 