The Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Thursday, held its 93rd ordinary session at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja.
The session, chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, addressed critical governance, economic policies, and regional integration issues.
ECOWAS President Omar Touray, in his opening address, hailed President Bola Tinubu and the people of Nigeria for their support of the regional bloc.
Touray explained that the gathering of the Council couldn’t be more timely, considering the persistent challenges confronting the region.
He also informed the Council that 30 specific agendas concerning trade, security, agriculture and stability, among others, would be critically examined.
The ECOWAS President further expressed concern that, in the past six years, community remittances have declined, with only 40 percent of remittances received from member states.
He also commended the peaceful elections conducted this year in Liberia, Senegal, Togo and Ghana, which, he said, amplify the importance of peaceful democracy in the region.
Touray called on member states to recommit to the values of ECOWAS.