A Non-Governmental organization, Global Awareness for Public Safety Foundation, GAPS, has applauded former Head of state Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd) on his fatherly role in mediating on the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) crises.
A statement signed by GAPS Director General, Apostle Chuks Alozie, says the intervention of Gen. Gowon as a surviving founding father of ECOWAS is timely in other to broker peace and also guarantee safety for members of the community, and bringing disaffecting nations back into the ECOWAS fold for better sub regional integration.
GAPS therefore implore the three member countries that are threatening to pull out to consider the land mark objectives of establishing ECOWAS and gains made so far by the Sub region.
“We urged the three member countries that have indicated their interest to pull out of the Community to consider the land mark objectives of establishing ECOWAS and gains made so far by the Sub region”, the group stressed.
According to the statement “ECOWAS has played significant role in fostering peace, stability, economic activities and stronger diplomatic ties that has elevated the Sub region as a stronger voice in International politics and diplomatic concerns”.
GAPS also appreciated the Leadership of ECOWAS led by its Chairman of Authority of Heads of states, President Bola Tinubu at their extra ordinary summit in Abuja, for adhering to the clarion call of restoring the free trade and economic activities enjoyed by the sanctioned nations, border opening and sanctions lifting so that commerce and trade can flourish in the sub region.
It would be recalled that Gen.Yakubu Gowon recently called on ECOWAS leadership to lift sanctions imposed on Mali, Guinea, Niger and Burkina Faso to avert disintegration of the ECOWAS member states.