We must credit Tinubu, Nigeria for easing West African tensions — ECOWAS President Alieu Touray
Outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, on Thursday credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with helping to reduce tensions across West Africa, describing the Nigerian leader as a pillar of stability whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing regional integration, thenationonlineng.net reported.
Speaking with journalists after a farewell meeting with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Touray said the progress recorded in calming tensions within the subregion should be credited to the President and Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa.
“If today we are saying West Africa tension has gone down in West Africa, we should give credit to President Tinubu and to Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s role in West Africa continues to be extremely important, and I am happy that the President appreciates this role and the leaders, including the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and all cabinet members of Nigeria, they have played their role wherever they were called upon to lead the region,” Touray said.
Touray visited the President to formally bid him farewell ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the current ECOWAS Commission management at the end of August.
Touray said the visit was an opportunity to express appreciation for Tinubu’s support to the regional bloc during his tenure.
“As you know, the mandate of the existing ECOWAS management ends at the end of this month, and I’ve had the opportunity to come and bid His Excellency President Tinubu farewell as we prepare to hand over and leave office, and that’s the purpose of my visit to the State House.
“President Tinubu has been a pillar in the region, and we couldn’t leave without thanking him for the role he has played, and he continues to play, not only for Nigeria but for the entire region and Africa.
“And he’s been gracious to give me this audience, and I will come to bid him farewell,” he said.
Reflecting on their working relationship over the past two years, Touray said he had benefited immensely from Tinubu’s guidance and leadership, describing the President as open, generous and deeply committed to the future of West Africa.
“I have been humbled by the president’s generosity and openness. I served under him as President of the Commission for two years.
“As you know, President Tinubu served as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority for two terms, and he has demonstrated leadership. He has shown commitment to West Africa’s future, to West African integration.
“So I feel privileged to have this opportunity to work with him, listen to his counsel and his advice”, he said.
