By Musa Baba Adamu
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the myriad of challenges in the West African subregion can be surmounted if the ECOWAS Parliament is galvanized by the spirit of unity, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the subregion’s shared destiny.
He stressed that this is needed to transform the region’s collective aspirations into enduring achievements.
Akpabio spoke on Monday, while declaring open the 2024 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy President of the Senate and the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator (Dr) Barau I Jibrin, the President of the Senate highlighted the centuries-old history of collaboration among the diverse people of the region.
He urged the Community Parliament to go beyond legislation and uplift the people by exemplifying the power of collaboration.
“As we embark on the deliberations and discussions that lie ahead, let us remain steadfast in our optimism. The challenges we face are not insurmountable. With unity, innovation, and an unwavering belief in our shared destiny, we can transform our collective aspirations into enduring achievements.
“In this session, let our conversations be driven by the spirit of partnership and collective ambition. Let us demonstrate that when West Africa stands united, there are no limits to what we can accomplish. Our diversity is our strength, and our unity is our power.
“From the ancient empires of Ghana, Oyo, Mali, and Songhai, which flourished through trade and cooperation, to the pivotal alliances forged during the fight for independence, the spirit of unity has always guided our path.
“This very spirit should permeate every session of the ECOWAS Parliament. It should envelop us like a comforting embrace as we proudly raise the banner of ECOWAS. While we are aware of the official establishment of ECOWAS in 1975, it is crucial to recognize that its foundations were laid centuries before this year by our ancestors. Therefore, let us not view ECOWAS solely as a political instrument, but as a cultural artifact and the enduring legacy of our history.
