ECOWAS@50: Nigerian man embarks on 50-days road trip across W/Africa

A Nigerian activist, Bishir Dauda,is embarking on a 50-days journey to celebrate ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary across West Africa.

Dauda, a pro-democracy advocate, revealed his plans during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at its Abuja headquarters.

He serves as Executive Director of Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiatives, a non-governmental organisation focused on promoting democracy, accountability, and good governance.

Dauda described his journey as a unique way to honor ECOWAS’golden jubilee and highlight its achievements over the decades.

He noted that ECOWAS had evolved from a regional organisation into a strong community positively impacting over 400 million people.

“ECOWAS has removed visa restrictions, boosting trade, education, tourism, and free movement across member states,” Dauda said during his interview.

“As an ECOWAS citizen, I see this journey as an opportunity to appreciate the organisation’s contributions over the past decades,” he added.

Dauda, a History graduate from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, will begin his journey on April 1 from Lagos, Nigeria.

During his trip, he will engage with citizens, gathering perspectives on ECOWAS and countering misinformation about the regional organisation’s role.

“I will debunk claims that ECOWAS is a puppet of Western powers, proving its relevance to African integration,” he stated confidently.

The activist is also advocating for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their recent withdrawal from the ECOWAS bloc.

“I urge Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reverse their withdrawal because African unity is essential for our collective progress,” he emphasized.

Dauda intends to visit major ECOWAS projects, including the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development in Lomé, Togo.

His journey will also cover the West African Power Pool in Cotonou and the Abidjan-Lagos Highway project in Ivory Coast.

As part of his advocacy, he hopes to visit the African Development Bank headquarters in Abidjan during his road trip.

He disclosed that his entire journey is self-funded, with no financial support from any individual, government, or organisation.

Dauda plans to document his experiences from the trip in a book, contributing to the promotion of Pan-Africanism and regional unity.

Founded on May 28, 1975, ECOWAS has lined up activities to celebrate its 50th anniversary, promoting economic and political cooperation.

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