The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin has tasked members of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, alongside their Chiefs of Naval Staff to workout modalities to tackle security challenges confronting the ECOWAS region.
The CDS made the call at a dinner organized in honour of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff and the Chiefs of Naval Staff in Abuja.
Gen Olonisakin stated that the dinner was to appreciate the Armed Forces of the member states’ for their contribution towards the attainment of ECOWAS mandate of ensuring peace and economic development in the Sub-region.
The CDS, who was earlier in the day inaugurated as the Chairman ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, used the opportunity provided by the 39th ordinary meeting of the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs held in Abuja to host the dinner to enable further discussions on the solution to security challenges in the sub-region.
Speaking further, at the occasion, General Olonisakin reiterated, that the regional body remains a rallying point for West Africa, in terms of security reforms and economic development.
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He pointed out that the changing nature of conflict and security challenges in the world today is translating into insecurity in international border areas.
He added that ECOWAS as a regional economic community must rise up against these challenges.
General Olonisakin described the outcome of the discussions from the 39th ordinary meeting as rewarding and a clear evidence of the collective resolve and determination by ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff and their Armed Forces to proffer solutions to contemporary security challenges bedeviling the region.
The CDS used the occasion to reaffirm the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari towards sustaining Federal Government’s support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in fulfillment of its role to ECOWAS.
The ECOWAS Commissioner of Political affairs, Peace and Security, General Francis Behanzin in a succinct response, expressed appreciation to the CDS and the AFN for providing the facilities and enabling environment for hosting of the 39th ordinary meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.
Behanzin acknowledged the leadership role played by Nigeria towards championing peace, unity and development in the sub region.
