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AU, UN, Global Diplomats Praise ECOWAS At Lagos Roundtable
PRESS RELEASE
In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission), in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, convened a landmark ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE ON “ECOWAS, AN AFRICAN MODEL @ 50: RESILIENCE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS” on May 28, 2025, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos.
The historic gathering brought together eminent statesmen, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, scholars, and civil society leaders to reflect on ECOWAS’s five-decade journey and chart the path forward.In a poignant and symbolic moment, General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State and the only surviving founding father of ECOWAS, graced the occasion.
Panellists engaged in a robust dialogue on key themes such as regional security, economic integration, democratic consolidation, youth empowerment, and the future of multilateralism in West Africa. Speakers emphasized the need for renewed political will, inclusive governance, and a reimagined vision of integration that reflects the aspirations of West African citizens. The event also served as an opportunity to pay tribute to ECOWAS’s legacy of mediation and peacebuilding, from Liberia and Sierra Leone to Mali and The Gambia, and to acknowledge the vital role of Nigeria as a founding and leading member state.
Speaking at the commemorative roundtable, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the urgent need for unity in addressing insecurity and instability in the region.
“No single nation can combat insecurity alone. We can only do this through collaboration There is need for us to work together. Our response must be according to the threats we are facing. if ECOWAS was not with us, it would have been invented because there is need for ECOWAS. ECOWAS cannot be substituted because despite all our challenges, ECOWAS is still a model of Regional Economic Community on the African continent.”
Dr. Touray also revealed plans for a Special Summit on the Future of ECOWAS, aimed at reflecting on the organization’s achievements over the past 50 years and charting a clear, visionary path forward.
H.E. Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, reflected on ECOWAS’s remarkable journey. “This forum has granted us the opportunity to critically assess ECOWAS’s role in peacekeeping, economic integration, and democratic governance, while confronting emerging challenges such as political instability and economic disparities. ECOWAS has made significant contributions to peacekeeping, economic integration , harmonization of sectoral policies and promotion of democratic governance to strengthen regional solidarity”
Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika HADDADI, praised ECOWAS as the continent’s benchmark for regional integration.
She said, “When it comes assessing the achievements of ECOWAS at 50, I can comfortably say that what the African Union has envisioned by the founding fathers to achieve is precisely what ECOWAS has been able to achieve in terms of the level of integration, the free movement of people, the customs union and monetary union – all these elements are precisely what we are looking for as a continental organisation. ECOWAS is very frequently used as our reference when we have discussions at the African Union regarding Regional Economic Communities and how to finance the Union through Community levy which ECOWAS has already implemented.”
Mr. Leonardo Santos SIMÃO, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNOWAS lauded ECOWAS’s patient diplomacy and mediation efforts to restore unity in the region, describing such progress as a hallmark of a mature and resilient organization.
“I want to use this opportunity to praise and salute the steps taken so far by ECOWAS by engaging in peaceful and constant dialogue and mediation with the three countries that have left ECOWAS with the aim of reuniting them with the Community. This is an achievement that only a mature organisation such as ECOWAS can go through.”
H.E. Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi BROU, former President of the ECOWAS Commission, celebrated ECOWAS’s infrastructural and economic milestones, including the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and transformative corridor projects like Lagos-Abidjan and Dakar-Lagos. He added that ECOWAS’s peace interventions in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia underscore its pivotal role in regional stability.
In his remarks, Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Board Chair of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs highlighted ECOWAS’s consistent stance against unconstitutional changes in government, its promotion of democracy, and its economic reforms through trade liberalization and the Common External Tariff. Echoing the call for accelerated progress, Aminata TOURÉ, former Prime Minister of Senegal, emphasized the need to urgently address youth unemployment, poverty, and the marginalization of women to ensure inclusive regional development.
As ECOWAS turns 50, the resounding consensus from regional and international leaders is clear: ECOWAS remains a cornerstone of African unity, economic transformation, and peace. Its journey, while not without challenges, continues to inspire the continent and the world.
Ecowas.int
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[JUST IN] Wike’s Assassination Plot: Police Take Action On Top Governor Fubara’s Ally; Nigerians React
The Nigeria Police Force, through the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has finally invited Tammy Wenike Danagogo, former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), over the allegation that he was speaking in a leaked telephone conversation, discussing how to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Danagogo is a top ally of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers. It was alleged that the governor’s ally was making the call with Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, a medical doctor and founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
In the leaked conversation, Danagogo and Gbeneol were said to have discussed how they could bring in an Israeli national to assassinate the minister of the FCT, and it ended with an alleged plan to urge Governor Fubara to fund the execution.
Last week, Benjamin Hundeyin, the public relations officer of the police, reportedly revealed the arrest of Gbeneol in a statement on Tuesday, January 6, where he disclosed that further information on the issue would be made available after the interrogation had been completed.
This is coming amid the heated political tension between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Since the Christmas holiday, the two political leaders have been throwing banters at each other. The governor has been accused of ignoring the peace agreement he signed with President Bola Tinubu in 2025.
The news of the police invitation to Danagogo was shared by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to Wike. The development has started generating reactions from some Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:
Olufemi Aluko described it as a joke:
“Once I saw Israel, I just started laughing. We’re not serious in this country. I just knew it had to be a joke.”
Seyi questioned: “Leaked conversation. Yeah. How many phone taps do the DSS actually have running?”
Dare called for a deeper investigation: “Has it got to this? This is barbaric. If found culpable, he should be made to face the law.”
Meenah condemned the development:
“Another shocking development. When close allies of a governor are linked to alleged assassination plots, it raises serious questions about leadership and accountability. Rivers State deserves leaders who unify, not ones whose associates spark fear and chaos.”
Read more reactions to the news from X here: /
Police Invite Fubara's Ex-SSG Tammy Danagogo Over Leaked Phone Conversation Plotting Wike’s Assassination
The Nigeria Police Force, through its Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has invited a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Tammy Wenike Danagogo, for…
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) January 12, 2026
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BREAKING: Grief, Lamentation As 3 APC Chieftains Die
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost three of its chieftains in Kogi to the cold hand of death. The APC chieftains are Alih Atabo, Onojah James Ignatius, and Jatto Onimisi Suleiman.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner for information and communication, announced their deaths in a statement in Lokoja, the state capital, on Monday, January 12.
According to Fanwo, the government and people of Kogi received the death of the APC chieftains with profound sorrow, describing them as distinguished sons of the state.
The statement reads in part: From breaking news to viral moments. “Hon. Onojah James Ignatius, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State and former Chairman of Igalamela Local Government Area; Hon. Jatto Onimisi Suleiman, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor; and Alhaji Alih Atabo, APC Chairman of Anyigba Ward in Dekina Local Government Area.”
The Punch reported that Fanwo maintained that the deceased served the state and the APC with uncommon loyalty, dedication and commitment.
However, the state government did not disclose the causes of their deaths but conveyed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s condolences to the family, friends, associates and the APC family in the state.
Nigerians have therefore reacted to the news of their deaths differently:
Adeyemi condemned Nigerians mocking the dead: “It is truly heartbreaking how many Nigerians have lost their humanity. When a fellow human being passes away, the only thing some people can do is mock them over petty political differences. It’s a disgrace. Death is inevitable for us all; those who are mocking the dead today should remember that they could be the victims tomorrow.”
Chiedozie Onyeke prayed for them: “God should have allowed them to enjoy Tinubu’s reforms small. May their souls rest in peace.”
Uzochukwu Agu O.G. made an unverified claim: “They were clogs in the wheel of Yahaya Bello’s Ambition. It is what it is. The next set of chieftains to replace them will unilaterally call for Yahaya Bello to run for Senate.”
Adams Azeez prayed for the deceased: “Whatever your politics, death is a reminder that power is temporary. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find strength.”
Ajayi Ogidiolu demanded more clarity about their death: “When did they die? Died or killed? The information is not really clear.”
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BREAKING: KWAM 1 Writes Ogun Govt, Accuses Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Plot to Exclude Him From Awujale Selection
Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM1, has written to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alleging that he is being deliberately sidelined from the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebu land.
Ayinde, in a petition dated January 8, 2026, accused the Fusengbuwa ruling house next in line to produce the monarch of taking actions that allegedly violate the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State. He claimed the moves were designed to disenfranchise him from contesting for the revered throne.
The letter, written on his behalf by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, was addressed to Governor Abiodun and outlined what the Fuji star described as procedural irregularities in the selection process.
According to the petition, the contest for the Awujale stool has attracted over 60 aspirants, with Ayinde formally declaring his interest. However, the Fusengbuwa family has maintained that KWAM1 is not a member of the ruling house and is therefore ineligible to participate in the exercise.
Before writing to the governor, Ayinde had approached the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu Ode, seeking an interim injunction to restrain Governor Abiodun and six others from continuing with the selection process. The court, however, dismissed the application, ruling that it lacked merit. The musician later withdrew the suit without publicly stating his reasons.
In his latest letter, Ayinde disclosed that the Ijebu Ode Local Government, via a letter dated January 6, 2026, signed by its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, had approved the commencement of the selection process by the ruling house.
He expressed surprise that while members of the Fusengbuwa family were preparing for a general meeting, the family’s Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, allegedly issued a notice directing aspirants to collect nomination forms and appear before a screening committee.
The screening committee, according to Ayinde, is chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga. He further alleged that the directive fixed the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, while also stating that the process would be conducted by delegates to be selected at a meeting scheduled for January 10, 2026.
Ayinde argued that the sequence of events was confusing, contradictory, and contrary to established laws guiding traditional chieftaincy matters in Ogun State.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ogun State Government nor the Fusengbuwa ruling house had officially responded to the allegations.
Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Awujale succession process and provide updates as the story unfolds.
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