Ajirioghene Imah
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared intentions to confer President Muhammadu Buhari the Democracy Icon award.
This was made known by ECOWAS Chairman and President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, at a bilateral meeting with the president on the sidelines of the ongoing 5th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar.
The award is to honour and recognize the President’s achievements in the defense and promotion of democracy as a system of government throughout the sub-region as he prepares to leave office upon the conclusion of his two-term tenure.
Embalo noted that Buhari had done more than any other leader to support democratic governments in West Africa, just as he had done exceptionally well in waging battles against the emergence of non-democratic regimes.
Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, welcomed the proposition, stressing that democracy is the best pathway to bringing together diverse people, and a dependable vehicle for the achievement of national development.
The President would have his name on the roll of honour in the community’s new headquarters building upon its completion in Abuja before he retires from office on Monday, May 29, Shehu said.