President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived Bissau, the capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Gatekeepers News reports that the Presidential Spokesman, Dele Alake disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Earlier in June, Tinubu participated in the summit on “A New Global Financing Pact” in Paris, France hosted by President Emmanuel Macron,
The 63rd Ordinary Session summit, which will open on Sunday, July 9, 2023, will be the President’s first international engagement within the African continent since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.
According to Alake, Tinubu’s plane touched down at the International Airport in Bissau at exactly 5.30 pm local time.
President Tinubu used the opportunity of the summit to visit the Nigerian contingent stationed in the country under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force.
Alake said, “The 16 regional leaders are expected to address memoranda on pressing sub-regional issues including Report of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) covering security challenges faced by the member countries, Report of the 90th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Other matters slated for consideration by the leaders are the Report on the status of Transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, Memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and the Report on Obstacles to Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan- Lagos corridor.”
Upon his arrival, Tinubu visited the Nigerian Troops under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force in Guinea-Bissau.
The President expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the soldiers and their Commander, General Al-Hassan Grema, for their dedication and service to Nigeria and their host country, adding that Nigeria would continue to support democracy in West Africa and around the world.
Tinubu said, “I am here to show solidarity with you. I want to assure you we are committed to support peace and democracy not only in West Africa but around the world.
“Nigeria is a giant that has made its mark in Sierra Leone and Liberia and other places. We count on your support for the defence of constitutional order. I heard your allowances have been paid up to date. Nothing else should make you angry. We will continue to build a virile force.
“We are proud of you. Proud of your loyalty. Nigeria depends on you. There will be peace and progress in our country.”
On his part, Brigadier General GremaForce Commander of ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), Brigadier-General Al-Hassan Muhammed Grema. expressed the appreciation of the troops to Tinubu for being the first Commander-in-Chief in Nigeria’s history to visit his soldiers outside the shore of the country.
The statement read further, “While in Guinea-Bissau, the Nigerian leader is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings and have other engagements on the sidelines of the summit.
“On the entourage of the President on the trip are National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Folashodun Shonubi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Aliyu Ahmed, and ECOWAS Permanent Representative, Ambassador Musa Nuhu.
“Others on the entourage include former Governors, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Senator Abu Ibrahim from Katsina State.”
