Tinubu Departs to Lagos for ECOWAS 50th Anniversary, Commission Key Infrastructure Projects

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and commission several landmark infrastructure projects.

According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy on Monday, the golden jubilee celebration, which began in Accra last month, will continue in Lagos with a symbolic reenactment of the 1975 ECOWAS declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.

President Tinubu, who currently chairs the regional bloc, will also lead a major event at Eko Hotels and Suites, where he will speak on ECOWAS’s milestones over the past five decades.

Former Minister of External Affairs and current NIIA Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, will present a comprehensive review of the bloc’s journey, followed by in-depth panel discussions.

The ceremonies will feature the participation of Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), Nigeria’s former Head of State and the only surviving leader who signed the original ECOWAS declaration in 1975. Gowon is expected to address dignitaries at Eko Hotels. ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Touray, will deliver the welcome address.

During his stay, President Tinubu will commission key federal projects on Saturday, May 31. These include Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road, and the flag-off of Section II of the same coastal highway, alongside the 7th Axial Road.

In addition, the President will virtually commission the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and Yakasai-Zalli Road. He will also flag off the Kano Northern By-pass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur Malumfashi, and the Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.

President Tinubu is expected to observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House in Dodan Barracks before returning to Abuja.