Veep opens ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja

Vice President opens first ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja

The Vice- President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur has urged all West Africans to rally together, regardless of status, ethnic association and religious persuasion, to help Nigeria overcome the threat and activities of the BOKO Haram group.

The Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur made then statement on the 18th May 2014 when he was addressed the ECOWAS parliament on behalf of the the ECOWAS chairman President John Dramani Mahama.

The vice President used the occasion to condemn the acts of violence and terror perpetuated by the BOKO Haram group and called for maintenance of security within the sub region.

Vice-President Kwesi Amissah Arthur was concerned about the abduction of more than two hundred school girls in the Borno State and said it was not only a Nigeria problem. He said “unless we are able to overcome Boko Harem and its ideology of criminalizing the rightful quest for education, the future of our sub region could be badly affected”.

He called on ECOWAS parliament to use their relationship with their constituents to prevent and discourage the radicalization in the society, especially among the youth.

Vice- President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur also challenged ECOWAS parliament to do everything possible to promote trade and investment within the sub region. The session was the first in the year 2014 and coincided with re-opening of the renovated office of the parliament and also the foundation-laying ceremony for the construction of the office block for members of the ECOWAS parliament. He also commended efforts by the Nigerian government toward the realization of the new office complex.

The speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu, commended the modernization of the chamber and said that these gestures would not only serve as morale booster for the ECOWAS Parliament but also cater for the expected higher legislative activities.

Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday stated that President Goodluck Jonathan was not the reason for the emergence of Boko Haram and their increased attacks in the North-eastern part of the country. Mahama said this yesterday while speaking at the opening of the 2014 First Ordinary Session of the Third Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, meanwhile, called for the hosting of a security summit in the sub-region, within the sub-region for a more holistic and strategic approach.