Raphael Oni
In a bid to strengthen regional economic cooperation, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has embarked on a diplomatic shuttle to West African countries as the Special Envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES).
According to a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu visited The Gambia and Senegal, presenting President Tinubu’s official invitation letter to the Presidents of both countries to attend the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit.
During her meeting with President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, the Special Envoy received a warm reception, and the Gambian leader expressed his commitment to The Gambia’s active participation in the summit. President Barrow noted that the current global reality no longer supports donor-recipient relations and emphasized the need for intra-regional cooperation and partnership.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also visited Dakar, Senegal, where she was received by a high-ranking official of the government, delivering the special invitation from President Tinubu to the Senegalese leader.
The West Africa Economic Summit, a legacy project and initiative under the auspices of President Tinubu, who is the chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States, is expected to create a platform for sustainable economic development and integration. The summit will bring together Heads of State from the sub-region, business leaders, heads of global institutions, and financial experts.
As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “The West Africa Economic Summit which will have in attendance Heads of State from the sub-region and an array of business leaders, heads of global institutions and financial experts is expected to create a platform for sustainable economic development and integration.”
The diplomatic shuttle underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional economic integration and cooperation, and the upcoming summit is expected to be a significant milestone in the quest for regional integration in Africa.
