By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Jibrin Barau, has said the visit of Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to the regional parliament will strengthen dialogue, representation and regional integration.
Barau stated this in a post on his official X handle on Tuesday after joining the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Mémounatou Ibrahima, to receive Faye at the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.
The Deputy Senate President said he expressed profound gratitude to the Senegalese leader for honouring the parliament with his visit, describing his presence among parliamentarians as particularly significant.
According to him, the visit demonstrates the importance Faye attaches to dialogue among the institutions of the West African regional bloc and, particularly, the role of Parliament in building an ECOWAS that is closer to its citizens.
Barau said the engagement also reinforced the parliament’s conviction that regular interaction between the Authority of Heads of State and Government and the ECOWAS Parliament would enhance the coherence of regional policies and actions.
He added that closer engagement would deepen representation of the aspirations of citizens and promote greater ownership of the regional integration project.
The First Deputy Speaker further said Faye’s visit would encourage the parliament to continue its reflection on the progressive strengthening of its role within the community.
He stressed the need for realism and responsibility in exploring ways to forge closer ties between the regional parliament and citizens of ECOWAS member states.
Barau wished President Faye success in the discharge of his responsibilities as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
He expressed optimism that continued engagement between the region’s political leadership and its parliament would contribute to a stronger, more cohesive and citizen-focused ECOWAS.
