A cross section of Nigerians from across the globe has reacted to the latest appointment of President Bola Hammed Tinubu as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in less than two months of his resumption into office in Aso Rock as the Nigerian elected president with various challenges to address.
While many see the president’s new position as an opportunity to provide leadership and seize the occasion to lead West Africa in the right direction, beginning from Nigeria, some in Nigeria think it is not a good decision to appoint someone yet to convince his country of his capability for such huge task.
A former Nigerian lawmaker, Shehu Sani in his own reaction is more worried on the issues concerning Nigeria’s closed land borders and how the newly appointed president Tinubu will address it. He pondered openly over the implications of Nigeria’s closed borders on principles outlined in the ECOWAS Protocol, calls for the unhindered movement of people and goods across member states.
President Tinubu assumed the position during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Head of State and Government of ECOWAS, held in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on Sunday.
President Tinubu succeeded President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau as the new leader of the regional organization
Alh. Murthala Alowoeshin, a Nigerian business man in his reaction from Mecca city says:
“I was delighted about the report on President Tinubu’s appointment as ECOWAS Chairman. I see this as a progress to Nigeria and Africa in general. I however solicit a general support from leaders across the continent to work together with the ECOWAS Chairman to ensure complete liberation of Africa and all member states from developing to developed in all areas”.
Lekan Alabi, a Nigerian human rights lawyer sent his contribution from Canada:
“The tething social economic crises in the region of the fifteen sovereign countries that are members of ECOWAS are indicators that the regional body has not realised the essence of its establishment decades ago.
It is an open secret that citizens of the West African Countrtry wallow in extreme poverty occasioned by lack of accessibility to basic needs, food, housing and shelter. It is observed that where there is an economic propensity basic needs of life will never be out of reach of the populace.
The regional body has not effectively harnessed its natural and human resources to lift the citizens from poverty and want.
The new leadership of ECOWAS has to start from a clean slate by having a road map to banish poverty and want from the region.
It is suggested that the ECOWAS must secure its region from political instability and ensure peace in the region. In other words, the member countries must ensure opneness in governance, accountability and democratic practises. It is my opinion that economic activity can only thrive in peaceful and secured environment.
The President Bola Hamed Tinubu leadership must have a genuine program of action beyond rhetoric that will propel the economic zone to greatness. In this regard, the union must work for its members. The following program of action is humbly suggested:
A. Unambiguous pro people economic policy that will encourage the movement of people and materials across the region.
B. Bold and audacious uniform social economic template for the member countries that will ignite economic boom in the region.
C. Conscious and methodical repel of bandits and non state actors that cause insurrection, violence and internal instability in the member countries.
D. Control of small arms and ammunition entering the member countries from the North Africa and other dangerous routes that endanger economic growth.
E. Securing of our Sea from the pirates and ensure security of our borders to make free flow of men and materials possible among the member states.
F. The ECOWAS is encouraged to have the political will to align with other regional economic bodies that will bring progress and development to the region.
F. The leadership of President Bola Hamed Tinubu should not be seen as an economic burden to Nigeria by being a big brother/Father Christmas to other member countries. All members must put something on the economic table.
G. West African
Countries deserve life more abundance”.
The Chairman of Nigerian Youth Empowerment Focus in United Arab Emirates, Hon. Abiodun Saheed in his reaction said “Actually we are not impressed by the cries of our people back home in Nigeria due to recent inflations on prices of basic necessities, we will still continue to pray for the success of our president in all areas for our collective good”.