By Aminu Garko
As the ECOWAS Parliament legislative meetings entered their second day in Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf outlined six pressing issues affecting the region, urging swift action for solutions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the sixth Legislative meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament at Bristol Hotel, Kano, Governor Yusuf emphasized the need to address citizenship issues among member countries, regional security, integration, environmental and natural resources challenges, and higher education, employment, poverty, and democratic volatility.
He cautioned against allowing global powers to turn the region into a dumping ground for finished goods, stressing that Africa is not a dumping ground for global markets.
Governor Yusuf urged the Regional Parliament to revisit the issues of a common currency and passports, which would enhance the region’s economic viability and global competitiveness.
Additionally, he expressed concern about the proliferation of illicit drugs and arms and ammunition, calling for concerted efforts to combat these menaces. Despite these challenges, Governor Yusuf noted that the West African regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at $633 billion as of 2023, highlighting the region’s potential to become a significant global player.
