Lagos, Nigeria - ECOWAS Commission President James Victor Gbeho has appointed Ambassador Oluwole Coker as his Special Representative to Cote d’Ivoire, the commission said in a statement obtained by PANA here Tuesday.

It said Ambassador Coker, Nigeria’s former envoy to Cote d’Ivoire, China, Vietnam and Mongolia, brings to his new role 'a wealth of diplomatic experience which will assist ECOWAS and partners in channelling strategic support for accelerated post-conflict reconstruction in Cote d’Ivoire'.

The statement said that as a former Chief of State Protocol at the Nigerian Presidency, and Director of Protocol at the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Coker is no stranger to international diplomacy or conflict resolution, having served as Special Envoy of Nigerian President to Cote d’Ivoire (1999-2000).

'His meritorious tour of duty in Abidjan 1991-1999 earned him the award of the Commander of the National Order of Cote d’Ivoire in 1999, one of that country’s highest national honours. This was followed by his decoration with the Commander of the Legion of Honour of France later the same year, among other service awards,' the commission said.

Ambassador Coker has since assumed duty as ECOWAS Commission President’s Special Representative.

ECOWAS played a key role in the restoration of peace to Cote d’Ivoire following a post-electoral crisis that created humanitarian challenges in the country and around its neighbours.

With the return of stability, the regional organization is mobilizing international resources to support the post-conflict reconstruction and to address the humanitarian challenges.

Pana 27/09/2011