By SARAFINA CHRISTOPHER

China on Tuesday handed over the ECOWAS Headquarters building it constructed in Abuja as a landmark symbol of friendship, regional cooperation, and shared development with West Africa.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, during the handover ceremony said the project marked a historic moment in the three-decade relationship between China and the West African bloc.

According to him, ties between both sides had continued to flourish on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

“I think this is going to be a historical moment in the history of the friendly cooperation between China and ECOWAS.

“This is a great milestone,” Yu said.

He said China and ECOWAS had deepened political trust, strengthened practical cooperation, supported peace and stability, and promoted people-to-people exchanges over the years.

Yu described the complex as a modern, intelligent and multifunctional facility that would improve the effectiveness of the ECOWAS Commission.

“The successful handover of this building is going to enhance the operational capacity of the ECOWAS Commission and also provide a platform for member states to chart the future of regional development,” he said.

The envoy reiterated China’s cooperation model with Africa, saying it was based on sovereignty, non-interference and no political conditions attached.

“Our cooperation has always been based on the actual needs of African countries,” he said.

Yu also praised Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, describing the country as a major player on the continent and globally.

He said China attached great importance to relations with Nigeria, noting that bilateral ties had accelerated since President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China in 2024.

He listed key cooperatIon projects to include the Lekki Deep Sea Port, railways, roads and airports.

“But our cooperation is beyond traditional infrastructure. Now we expand our cooperation in the digital economy, green economy and modern agriculture,” he said.

Yu stressed the importance of food security and said both countries had strong potential for agricultural collaboration.

He added that Chinese telecommunications company Huawei had trained more than 70,000 Nigerian youths in information technology.

“We look forward to having more cooperation in the future and offering opportunities to Nigerian youths,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, expressed appreciation to China for its support to the regional bloc.

He said the new headquarters was a major institutional boost that would support implementation of regional decisions on trade, peace, security and free movement.

“This is a facility that provides a good working space for the bureaucracy that is supposed to help implement decisions on regional integration, peace and security, decisions on trade and free movement of people in our region,” Touray said.

He added that China’s zero-tariff policy for exports from African countries offered a major economic opportunity for ECOWAS member states.

“For us, this is a major opportunity because China is a massive market.

“Having access to such a market for our produce and products is a major opportunity that we must all seize,” he said.

Touray said access to the Chinese market would enhance trade, attract foreign direct investment, increase productivity and stimulate development across West Africa.

“If you have the capacity to harvest those mangoes and send them duty-free all the way to China, certainly this will enhance productivity and create development,” he said.

He added that stronger economic opportunities would also promote peace and security in the region.

“As you know, poverty is a key driver of insecurity in our region.

“When young people are engaged in productive activities, they will certainly not have any interest in armed groups,” he said.

Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said the occasion represented more than the opening of a building.

“It represents the consolidation of a vision, a reaffirmation of unity, and a renewed commitment to the ideals of regional integration, peace and sustainable development,” she said. (NAN)