Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said that the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), would usher in new vistas for the regional body.

This is as former Nigerian leader and surviving founding father of ECOWAS, General Yakubu Gowon, and ex-Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, declared that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the three Member States which recently exited the ECOWAS and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) could still return to the fold.

The minister made the remarks at the Roundtable Conference, convened under the theme: “ECOWAS, An African Model @ 50: Resilience and Future Prospects,” at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of activities marking the golden jubilee of the regional body.

Gowon chaired the event which featured Akinyemi as keynote speaker while the discussants were key players in the affairs of the continent including President of ECOWAS, Dr. Alieu Touray, former President of ECOWAS, Dr. Ibn Chambas, former Prime Minister of Guinea, Lansana Kouyate, and Vice Chairperson of African Union Commission, Selma Malika Haddadi among others.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu charged participants to renew their commitment to the shared responsibility, and uphold the enduring principles of unity, peace, and development which was the bedrock of their regional integration efforts.

She paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers, especially Gowon, noting that the contributions of the lead speaker; Akinyemi and the discussants, had enriched their collective reflection and reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the shared vision.

“Over the course of our discussions, we have been afforded a unique opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey of ECOWAS as a regional body. We have examined its significant contributions to peacekeeping, economic integration, harmonization of sectoral policies and promotion of democratic governance to strengthen regional solidarity.

“Equally important, this forum granted us the opportunity to critically examine the pressing challenges confronting the Community, from political instability and governance deficits to economic disparities. Looking ahead, this rich exchanges of ideas and perspectives we have shared today has laid the groundwork for charting a more resilient, inclusive and visionary path for ECOWAS.

“As we bring this important gathering to a close, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for your presence, your thoughtful contributions and insights, as well as your unwavering commitments to the vision and ideals that inspired the founding of our Regional Economic Community five decades ago,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

Akinyemi who listed the numerous achievements of ECOWAS particularly, in peacekeeping, free movement of people and goods, regional integration and peer review, urged the remaining members to be compassionate with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

He said: “When the Sahel countries realize that in pulling out of ECOWAS, they were not able to contain the Jihadists, the insecurity in the region, then they will know that pulling out was not the solution. When they see that the energy crisis is still there and other challenges they faced, then, they will begin to consider the essence of regional integration.

“So, I share the optimism expressed this morning by our President and Gen. Gowon, that they will find their way back. And as Gen. Gowon advised, we should threat them with compassion, we shouldn’t rub it on their face.”

In his presentation, ECOWAS President, Dr. Alieu Touray, reiterated that the three exited member States of ECOWAS were key to the security of the region including the free movement of people and regional integration.

He also spoke on the plans for the ECOWAS in the next phase of its trajectory.

“We are thinking of a summit on the future of ECOWAS. We must mainstream the need for poverty alleviation. Secondly, is working together on how to confront insecurity. The disunity in the region threatens our security.

“Peace and security must be of priority to ECOWAS. Governance too must be a priority to ECOWAS, accountability. If you have good governance, you have development. To boost intra community trade, we must address on infrastructure,” the ECOWAS Commission’s President said.

Also, remarking, the United Nations Special Representative for ECOWAS and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, saluted ECOWAS for the capacity displayed in handling the conflict concerning the exit of the Sahel States.

According to him, the organisation was able to manage the sentiments involved and went to Bamako for discussions.

“I must tell you that I was in Niger last week and I know how they received that move. This is an achievement that only a mature organisation can pull through.

“As UN, we congratulate ECOWAS on its 50th anniversary and would continue to look out for collaborations,” he stated.