At the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS in Lagos, General Yakubu Gowon—the bloc’s only surviving founding father—delivered a heartfelt message to West African leaders.

In an emotional address, Gowon urged ECOWAS to use all possible means, including diplomacy, to reintegrate Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, who have withdrawn from the bloc. He emphasized that if returning individually proves difficult, they should be welcomed back as a group.

His appeal stirred reflections on unity, echoing the founding vision of a strong and cohesive West Africa.