President Bola Tinubu, has handed over the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, expressing confidence in the region’s continued path toward peace, stability, and prosperity.
President BOLA Tinubu described his tenure as a profound honour and privilege to have led the esteemed body, adding that he remained deeply humbled by the trust and support extended to him throughout his two-term tenure.
He noted the complex political and security challenges the region has faced in recent years while calling on leaders to remain committed to the evolving needs of West African citizens.
President Tinubu further emphasized the need to preserve democratic values and ensure that political stability is not separated from economic development. while reaffirming his commitment to the region’s shared mission and urged continued unity among member states. In his acceptance speech, President Bio of Sierra Leone, the newly elected Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, outlined four key priorities.
Acknowledging the complexities of the current moment, the Sierra Leonean leader noted that West Africa stands at a crossroads, grappling with terrorism, illicit arms flow, political instability, and transnational crime, particularly in the Sahel and coastal states.
He pledged to lead a renewed, people-centred, and action-oriented ECOWAS in the face of unprecedented challenges and opportunities for the West African region.
The ECOWAS Authority’s 67th Ordinary Session closed with the symbolic handover of the Emblem to the incoming Chair.
