The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) elected Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president of Nigeria, to serve as its next chairman.
The decision was taken on Sunday at the group’s 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community in Bissau, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau’s capital.
Professor Efem Ubi, Acting Director of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs commended the selection stating that it was not just a big feat for the administration but for the nation as well.
“My thinking is that it’s good news for the administration and for Nigeria.
“He listed his foreign policy focus for his administration. If you look at it, what he said is his foreign policy will still remain Afrocentric. That means it will be African centred to a large extent. He is also interested and will continue with multi-laterbotalism which has always been the focus of Nigerian government in the last few years since the advent of democracy in 1999.
“Another thing he looked at is collective prosperity which talks about economic diplomcy. In his inaugural speech, he has said that he needs to focus on regional and continental quest for prosperity. There he talked about economic integration and trade so I think you know that for me, I wouldn’t say it’s an ordinary job for him. It’s a tall order.
“Taking into consideration the problem of Africa, in his inaugural speech and he has repeated it, he stated that will fight for the sustenance and the consolidation of democracy in Africa.
“Many expectations are placed on the president in light of the halt of Operations Barkhane in Mali earlier in the year as well as other issues that plague the region.
“My advice is that he takes it easy, one at a time. You know the problems in Africa are perennial. It’s not just a one man show. No one president can handle Africa’s case. He needs partners not just from within ECOWAS or within Africa but across the globe. We need our development partners to be part of the solution to Africa’s problems.
“But much more importantly, I would also ascribe to the fact that we also need African solution to African challenges. For me we should begin by looking at what the problems are. The president should begin to look at at what the problems are in any of these African countries and now set up eminent persons, a group of international public persons who begin to talk to some of these leaders.
“The problem of Africa is a complex mix of interests and solutions will actually begin from us. You know much recently we blame the West, we blame foreign powers but I think we ourselves should look for solutions from within.
“We actually know the problem of Africa. Most of us know. Our leaders know and i think that is where the starting point should be.”
Glamour Adah
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