VP Shettima Heads To Sierra Leone For ECOWAS Summit

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Freetown, Sierra Leone, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The summit, holding on Sunday at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, will bring together West African leaders, ministers, senior government officials, business leaders and representatives of regional institutions to deliberate on pressing issues affecting the sub-region.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima is attending the meeting on behalf of President Tinubu as ECOWAS leaders consider key policy decisions and strategic resolutions aimed at strengthening regional cooperation.

The statement said the summit is expected to reaffirm the commitment of member states to promoting peace, democratic governance, economic growth and regional integration across West Africa.

As part of the ECOWAS mid-year statutory meetings, discussions will also focus on enhancing regional security, expanding trade and economic integration, improving infrastructure, and advancing sustainable development initiatives among member countries.

The gathering comes at a time when the West African bloc continues to address security challenges, political transitions and efforts to deepen economic cooperation across the region.

Shettima is expected to participate in the high-level deliberations before returning to Abuja at the conclusion of his official engagements in Sierra Leone, according to the statement.