The Voice Of Nigeria (VON) has been commended for promoting the virtues of subregional integration under the platform of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Kebbi state Governor, Dr Nasir Idris made the commendation in a goodwill message he sent to the 2026 Forum organized by the Voice of Nigeria which took place today at the Shehu Yar Adua Centre in Abuja.
The lecture with the theme “51 Years of Nigeria’s Role In Deepening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS,” the lecture attracted very important personalities who converged to discuss the contribution of Nigeria in the subregion.
Governor Nasir who served as Special Guest at the event was represented by the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Kebbi state, Yakubu Ahmed BK.
He went memory lane and highlighted the leadership role which Nigeria had played, which he noted had impacted positively in the promotion of democracy and economic integration within the subregion.
He advised that despite the recent unpleasant division within the ECOWAS fold which led to some countries in the Sahel to leave the group, the need for further efforts at unifying the subregion for democratic and economic development had become very imperative.
He said Kebbi state which strategically shares borders with two countries in the ECOWAS family stands to benefit economically if the shared interests of the countries are leveraged on to enhance trade and commerce.
He added that the insecurity bedeviling the subregion will better be fought through the instruments of collective action and sharing of intelligence.
Some of the personalities at the event included the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris, former Governor of Niger state, Abubakar Sani Bello; former Chief of Defence Staff Retired General Lucky Erabo.
Others are former Chief of Army Staff, Retired General Tukur Buratai; Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and many others from the diplomatic corps, security agencies, and the media industry.
