By salif Atojoko

The Federal Government has paid its ECOWAS community levy of N85 billion and 54 million dollars representing 2023 and up to July 2024.

Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, said this on Sunday, during the opening of the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria decided to pay 100 per cent of its community levy up to 2023.

“The money was paid on Friday, December 13, 2024. This payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to the ECOWAS community.

“At a more personal level, it underscores a mark of confidence in the ECOWAS that I have been privileged to lead since 2022. 

“My colleagues and I are deeply grateful,” he said.

In his opening remark, President Tinubu said the strength of the commission was in the unity of members, and ECOWAS was born out of a shared vision to create a community for citizens.

He said, “The world is confronted with challenges raging from crisis, from Sudan, Middle East and violent extremism and environmental challenges.

“Many of the challenges have impacted our region and the reality underscores the reality of working together.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

BY Salif Atojoko

The authority of ECOWAS heads of state and government on Sunday set Jan. 29, 2025 to July 29, 2025 as a transitional period to keep ECOWAS doors open to Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger.

Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, said this while reading the Communique at the end of the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, in Abuja.

He said the authority had taken note of the notification by the three countries of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.

He said authorities acknowledged that in accordance with the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty, the three countries would officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from Jan. 29, 2025.

“In this regard, the authority extends the mandate of President for Gnassingbé of Togo, and President Faye of Senegal to continue their mediation rule up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.

“Without prejudice, for the spirit of the opening, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the deadline of Jan. 29, 2025 and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.

“The Authority directs the Council of Ministers to convene an extraordinary session during the second quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Niger, the Republic of Mali and Burkina Faso,” said Touray.

He said the authority members of the authority of ECOWAS heads of state and government commended the exemplary diplomatic engagement of Bassirou Faye, President of Senegal, Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic.

He said the Authority also commended the diplomatic efforts of the chairman of authority, President Bola Tinubu and other individual member states towards the three countries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba