NiDCOM hails Tinubu as ECOWAS Chairman

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his emergence as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, conveyed the congratulatory message via a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Balogun said the emergence of Tinubu as the chairman of the ECOWAS was a good omen, as it would go a long way in boosting the image of Nigerians in the sub-region.

He quoted the president in his speech, where he said, “Nigeria is back.” That statement alone has so many meanings.

“It means the sub-region has been so relaxed and dominated by other regions in other parts of the world, but Nigeria is back to take the glory and excellency of the past.

“The role Nigeria has been playing in ECOWAS and in the African Union, among others, is back, and Nigeria is back to play its full role.”

The NiDCOM head of media also spoke on issues affecting Nigerians and the citizens of the ECOWAS sub-region and added that Nigeria had been made the chairman to bring normalcy.

“He is saying Nigeria is back to regain that lost glory, to regain the full consciousness of action, and to make sure the Nigerian and ECOWAS citizens are not relegated to the background on the continent.

“It portends a good thing for Nigeria and for the continent. The speech he made was very clear, unambiguous, and straight to the point, and he meant business.

“He said this was an opportunity for us (Nigeria) to regain the lost glory in the African Union, other Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and in the world at large, so his emergence is a good omen,” he said.

NAN reports that Tinubu emerged as chairman at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday.

In his speech, Tinubu said that the ECOWAS must rise against coup d'etats in member states.

He also said that democracy and good governance are the cornerstones of peace and sustainable development in every society.

He said he would enhance engagements with countries in transition like Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso to ensure their quick return to democratic rule.

The new ECOWAS chairman also sought private sector-led economic growth in the sub-region.