ABUJA – (ECOWAS Secretariat Report) – The President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jean-Claude Kassi Brou has commiserated with the family of the former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), late Adebayo Adedeji (Professor ) on the eve of his funeral.
In conveying deepest condolences to the family of the renowned economist and academic on behalf of the Regional Community, Jean-Claude Brou described Adebayo Adedeji as a formidable son of Nigeria and the African continent.
In the condolence letter, President Brou noted as heartwarming Adedeji’s widely acknowledged role in the establishment of ECOWAS which earned him the title of the “Father of ECOWAS.” He reverred that the foremost development economist had championed the cause of regional integration and cooperation, not only in the sub-region, but in the entire continent of Africa.
Hinting on his immeasurable contributions to the integration process, President Brou said “We in ECOWAS Commission recall with gratitude his shuttle diplomacy to various capitals in the sub-region in his days as Nigeria’s Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Economic Development, and the critical roles he played in the formation of ECOWAS which happily is forty-three years in 2018.
The ECOWAS Commission President further noted in this regard that his dynamism under the UNECA platform resulted in the creation of two more Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in 1981-1983 respectively.
“As a mark of high respect for the Father of ECOWAS, the Commission is sending a high – level delegation to the funeral,” he said.
