President Bola Tinubu is set to leave Abuja for Lagos on Tuesday, marking a significant week filled with celebrations, inaugurations, and religious observances. This trip isn’t just a routine visit; it’s a power-packed agenda that underscores Nigeria’s role in regional cooperation and national development. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:
- ECOWAS Anniversary: Celebrating 50 years of the Economic Community of West African States.
- Project Inaugurations: Launching key infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
- Eid-el-Kabir Prayers: Observing the religious holiday at the State House, Dodan Barracks.
Tinubu’s Lagos Trip: It’s More Than Just a Visit!
President Bola Tinubu is gearing up for a busy week in Lagos, starting with a departure from Abuja on Tuesday. The main event? Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). But that’s not all – Tinubu’s also set to inaugurate major projects and observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers. Let’s break it down.
ECOWAS at 50: A Golden Jubilee Celebration
The ECOWAS golden jubilee is a big deal, and Lagos is playing host to the festivities. The celebration kicked off last month in Accra, Ghana, but the Lagos events promise to be even more spectacular. Expect a reenactment of the original 1975 declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island.
Tinubu, as the Chairman of ECOWAS, will be front and center, highlighting the economic bloc’s achievements over the past half-century. Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman of the NIIA and former Minister of External Affairs, will provide a historical overview of ECOWAS’s journey. General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), the only surviving Head of State who signed the ECOWAS declaration, will also be in attendance, delivering a speech at the Eko Hotels event.
According to the ECOWAS official website, the organization was established on May 28, 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos. The primary goal was to promote economic cooperation among West African states to raise living standards and foster closer relations.
Project Blitz: Infrastructure Inaugurations Galore!
Saturday, May 31, is all about infrastructure. President Tinubu is scheduled to inaugurate several key projects, including:
- Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
- Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road
- Flag-off of Section II of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway
- The 7th Axial Road
But wait, there’s more! Tinubu will also virtually inaugurate the Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and Yakasai-Zalli Road. Plus, he’ll flag off the Kano Northern By-pass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur Malumfashi, and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, in particular, is a massive undertaking. According to the Federal Ministry of Works, the project aims to connect Lagos to Cross River State, boosting trade and tourism along the coast.
Faith and Festivities: Eid-el-Kabir Prayers
Before wrapping up his Lagos visit, President Tinubu will observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks. This is a significant religious event for Muslims, marking the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
The Bottom Line
President Tinubu’s trip to Lagos is a packed agenda that blends regional diplomacy, infrastructure development, and religious observance. It’s a clear signal of Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS and its focus on improving infrastructure across the country.
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