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The President of the Nigerian Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has called on members of the ECOWAS Parliament to reaffirm their commitment to building a united, peaceful, and prosperous West Africa.
Akpabio made the call in his keynote address titled “One Region, One Dream: Advancing the Promise of West Africa”, delivered at the opening of the 2025 First Session of the ECOWAS Parliament held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Addressing lawmakers from across the 15-member regional bloc, Akpabio urged them to seize the opportunity of their gathering to rekindle the spirit of unity and solidarity that has long defined West African cooperation.
“Let us renew our pledge to build a united West Africa where economies thrive, cultures flourish, and our children inherit a legacy of peace, prosperity, and unshakable unity,” he said.
Speaking further on the role of ECOWAS in a rapidly changing global environment, the Senate President emphasized the need for the regional body to amplify its voice on the international stage.
“We must champion the interests of our people in global trade, finance, and climate negotiations. The voice of ECOWAS must be strong, coherent, and assertive in shaping a fairer world,” he stated.
Akpabio also stressed the importance of unity and collaboration among member states, pointing out that these values remain central to addressing the region’s challenges and unlocking its vast potential.
In her remarks, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima from the Togolese Republic, reflected on the achievements of the Parliament over the past 25 years. She noted that despite being relatively young, the ECOWAS Parliament had made notable strides in shaping regional politics and strengthening democratic processes.
“The upcoming Silver Jubilee celebration in November should remind us that regional integration is not an automatic outcome. It is a choice a daily commitment we must nurture and continually re-invent,” Ibrahima said.
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