President Bola Tinubu arrived in Lagos yesterday in preparation for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), scheduled to take place today at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island.
Among the first dignitaries to arrive was Liberia’s President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, who landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at approximately 3:45 p.m. He received a ceremonial welcome from troops of the Nigerian Army’s 9th Brigade and was received at the airport by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
President Tinubu’s plane touched down shortly after, around 4:10 p.m. He was warmly welcomed by Governor Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior officials. Following military honours, President Tinubu was escorted to his private residence in Ikoyi, where he was greeted by cheering Lagosians along the route.
This year’s celebration marks a significant milestone for ECOWAS, inaugurated in Lagos in 1975. A symbolic reenactment of the original declaration will take place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island.
As the current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu will lead the commemoration, reflecting on the bloc’s achievements and challenges over five decades. Former Minister of External Affairs and NIIA Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, will deliver the keynote reflection on ECOWAS’s 50-year journey, followed by panel discussions.
Retired General Yakubu Gowon, the only surviving head of state who signed the original ECOWAS treaty, will also attend and address the gathering. The ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, will deliver the opening welcome speech.
Following the anniversary events, President Tinubu will remain in Lagos for official duties including the commissioning of major infrastructure projects on Saturday, May 31. These include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Section I, the Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Road, and the flag-off of Coastal Highway Section II. Additionally, he will commission road projects virtually in Kano, Danja, Hadejia, and other northern locations.
According to the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu will observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja.
