Tobi Soniyi in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday pledged in Abuja that Nigeria would continue to meet all its obligations to the ECOWAS Commission.
Receiving the new President of the commission, Mr. Marcel Alain de Souza, at the Presidential Villa, Buhari assured him that Nigeria would go on playing its leadership role in ECOWAS.
The president told Mr de Souza that the federal government would also strive to show a good example to others by meeting all its financial obligations to the sub-regional organisation.
Mr de Souza commended President Buhari for Nigeria’s recent successes in the war against terrorism and insurgency.
He noted that with terrorist attacks spreading to countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and others, security had to be accorded more priority by ECOWAS.
“Without security, there can’t be development and progress,” the new ECOWAS Commission President stressed.
In a related development, Buhari also congratulated the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, as he turns 90 years old on May 27, 2016.
Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said he joined the Oyo State Government, Council of Obas and Chiefs, Ogbomoso kingdom and the family of the Soun of Ogbomoso in celebrating the long life and remarkable achievements of the revered royal father, who has spent 42 years on the throne of his fathers.
The statement read: “Looking into the pedigree of the nonagenarian from birth in 1926, his success in business and ascension to the throne, the President believes that the steps of the Kabiyesi were ordered from above to bring succour to his people and serve humanity in general through his passion for peaceful co-existence, education and entrepreneurship.
“Buhari affirms that the two national honours to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR), were most deserved, going by his humility, courage and contributions to national development.”
The president prayed that the Almighty God would grant the royal father more strength and long life.
