By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has advised West African countries to nuture the spirit of collegiality in the subregion so as to foster economic exchange and end continued dependence on former colonial powers.
Tuggar, who doubles as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States Council of Ministers, urged members of the subregional bloc to reclaim control of their destinies through regional trade, joint infrastructure, and collective self-reliance
The minister spoke at the opening ceremony of the 94th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers on Thursday in Abuja.
“For newly independent African countries, if you stay alone and isolated from your neighbours, you remain dependent on the former colonial master, forever consigning yourself to being an exporter of agricultural cash crops and raw materials to the metropolis.” Tuggar said while addressing ministers and delegates gathered.
He continued, “Conversely, “if you trade freely with your neighbours, develop infrastructure jointly to strengthen that trade, you develop indigenous industries, collective self-reliance, and take control of your destinies.
The minister emphasized that the ECOWAS and similar African regional blocs, were “borne out of our yearning for economic decolonisation and not the other way round.”
He added, “I invite us all to approach our discussions with an ethos of collegiality, compromise, and flexibility with a broader vision for a strong, united, and resilient Regional Economic Community,
“This session should be defined not only by the depth of our deliberations but also by the courage of our decisions.”
