December 15, 2014 – President Jonathan today called on member nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to accelerate efforts on monetary union.
Jonathan who spoke at the 46th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja urged the union not to forget that beyond politics, the economic development and integration of the region remains the fundamental objective of the organisation.
“We must, therefore, accelerate our efforts toward monetary union by striving to meet the convergence criteria and achieving the harmonization of tariff regimes”, he said.
He told member nations that Nigerian remains steadfastly committed to supporting peace and stability in the West African Region, in the belief that a politically stable West Africa will safeguard the vital interests of peoples and be a viable partner in the search for global peace.
The President described as worrisome rising scourge of terrorism which now threatens the peace and security of the sub-region.
“In the Sahel Region, we have witnessed the increasing proliferation of small arms and light weapons. As a result, countries in the region are today threatened by insurgents and terrorists. Their actions have dire consequences for the continuing peace, stability and prosperity of the region”, he said.
He noted that the increasing incidence of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has reached a worrisome dimension.
“This is compounded by drug trafficking, oil bunkering and human trafficking. All of these require urgent and concerted actions from all of us. Nigeria calls for stronger and more effective regional, continental and global alliance to rid our region of terrorism, piracy and violent extremism”, he said.
