The President of the ECOWAS Commission, James Victor Gbeho, has paid glowing tributes to the institution’s pioneer Commissioners and Vice-President for contributing to the admirable international image of the organization, advancing the cause of regional integration and accelerating the development of West Africa.

Gbeho, speaking at a dinner for the pioneer Commissioners and their successors in Abuja on Wednesday, lauded the positive roles of the 'old' team, noting that the region overcame several challenges during their tenure, through their strong leadership.

The challenges, he said, included political instability in some Member States, adding that the outgoing team also contributed to the growth and development experienced in the region.

Welcoming their successors, Gbeho described the new team as a good crop of distinguished men and women who would pilot the institution through its next phase of evolution, stressing the need for unity of purpose for effectiveness, as well as hard work, transparency and loyalty to the regional Organization.

Gbeho said the new management team should be proud to have joined the flagship Regional Economic Community in Africa, and a pacesetter in regional integration.

He urged them to carry forward the tradition of excellence built over the years through the hard work of dedicated staff.

Responding on behalf of the outgoing team, the Vice-President Jean de Dieu Somda, urged the new Commissioners to build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors.

The outgoing Commissioners include Dr. Ada Okwuosa (Administration and Finance), General Mahamane Toure (Political Affairs, Peace and Security), Professor Lambert Bamba (Macroeconomic Policy), Mr. Ousseni Salofou (Agriculture, Water Resources and Environment), and Mr. Celestin Talaki (Infrastructure).

The former Commissioner for Trade, Customs, Industry, Mines, Free Movement and Tourism, Alhaji Mohamed Darami, died last year.

The six pioneer Commissioners have been replaced by Mr. Lapodini Marc Atouga (Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources), Mr. Hamid Ahmed (Trade, Customs, Industry,  Mines and Free Movement), Ambassador Ibrahim Ba (Macroeconomic Policy), Mr. Ebrima Njie (Infrastructure), Mrs. Khady Ramatu Sacco (Administration and Finance), and  Mrs. Salamatu Suleiman (Political Affairs, Peace and Security).

The tenure of the seventh Commissioner, Dr. Adrienne Diop, ends in June 2012.

Dr. Toga Gayewea Mcintosh replaces Mr. Somda as the Commission’s Vice-President.

The outgoing management team came on board in 2007 with the transformation of the ECOWAS Executive Secretariat into a nine-member Commission in response to the challenges and dynamics of regional and international environment.

Pana 03/02/2012