Afenifere Leader, Pa Fasoranti, Congratulates Tinubu on Becoming ECOWAS Chairman

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

The national leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Chief Reuben F. Fasoranti, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu, on his emergence as chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Commission of West Africa (ECOWAS).

Fasoranti, also tasked the president to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians and that of members of the ECOWAS communities.

The message was contained in press statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi.

Tinubu was unanimously elected as the regional body’s chairman on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at its 63rd extra-ordinary meeting that held in Guinea Bissau.

According to the statement, Fasoranti expressed optimism that the president would use the opportunity he has as Nigeria’s President and Chairman of ECOWAS, “to better the lot of Nigerians and uplift the conditions of the region’s citizens with a view to ensuring that Nigerians and Africans generally experience a new lease of life that everyone would be happy about.”

The statement also quoted Fasoranti as reminding the president of the welfarist ideas contained in his manifesto that he (Tinubu) shared with him when he visited him in Akure in October, 2022.

He said: “The ideas contained in the ‘Renewed Hope’ manifesto, if faithfully implemented, have the potential of enhancing the welfare of Nigerians, uplifting the status of our country and earn greater respect for our race among the global communities.”

The Afenifere Leader again identified areas in which he wanted Tinubu administration to urgently act upon, “so as to adroitly redirect the fortune of our nation back onto the glorious path.”

Listed among the areas of immediate concern were security, high cost of living, high unemployment rate, social and economic dislocation, declining agriculture, infrastructural deficit, high tariff and irregular supply of electricity as well as the urgent need to revamp the education and health sectors.

The president was also enjoined, “to ensure that prices of petroleum products come down to the level that would be affordable by the common man.”

The statement further averred that being a core Afenifere person himself, it was not surprising that Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria synchronises with the group’s philosophy.