The year 2015, which we are about to inaugurate with the coming into force of a Common External Tariff for the 15 ECOWAS Member States, will equally mark the 40th Anniversary of ECOWAS. This epitomizes its entire symbolic importance. We therefore plan to celebrate it with events that will culminate in the anniversary on 28 May 2015. I hasten to point out, however, that while celebrating the 40th ECOWAS Anniversary with great moments of joy and unity, we intend to avail ourselves of the occasion to raise awareness, particularly for the youths of all Member States on the objectives and attainments of our organization.
We will do this by paying tribute to the founding-fathers and all those who, in the pursuit of their dream, have contributed to our success story today. We will equally plan activities we consider will enable the Community accelerate and make sure that West Africa’s march towards its effective integration becomes irreversible. In other words, we intend to make the 40th anniversary celebration a watershed in the history of ECOWAS, and I am convinced we can count on the support of all Member States.

Extract of the President’s speech at the opening of seventy-third ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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