Events

Nigerian activist embarks on West African tour to celebrate ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2025

Nigerian activist Bishir Dauda celebrates ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary with a 50-day road trip across West Africa, engaging with citizens and officials

A Nigerian activist, Bishir Dauda, has embarked on a 50-day road trip across West Africa to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Also read: ECOWAS aims to attract 10 million intra-community tourists by 2029

On Tuesday, he arrived in Cotonou, Benin Republic, continuing his journey to engage with citizens and officials across the subregion.

ECOWAS, established on 28 May 1975, aims to foster economic integration and political unity among its 15 member states. As the regional bloc reaches its golden jubilee, Dauda sees his journey as a tribute to its achievements and an opportunity to reflect on its challenges.

Upon arriving in Benin, Dauda first visited the ECOWAS Resident Representative’s office, where officials welcomed him. He later engaged with activists, youth groups, and ordinary citizens to discuss ECOWAS’ accomplishments and areas needing improvement.

During discussions, Beninese citizens acknowledged ECOWAS’ progress in several areas, including:

– Free movement of persons and goods
– Harmonisation of trade tariffs
– Promotion of tourism and sporting events
– Humanitarian support and peacekeeping efforts
– Strengthening democracy and good governance

However, they also highlighted ongoing challenges, such as unconstitutional government changes, electoral fraud, breaches of ECOWAS protocols, and weak governance in some member states.

Additional concerns included external interference, inadequate funding, and delays in implementing the ECOWAS common currency, ECO.

Citizens expressed their desire for ECOWAS to prioritise:

– The successful launch of the ECO currency by 2027
– Continued dialogue with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to encourage their return to the bloc
– Strengthening democracy and governance in member states
– Expanding programmes for youth, women, and people with disabilities
– Deploying the ECOWAS Standby Force to tackle security threats like terrorism and insurgency

Many citizens also voiced their support for major ECOWAS infrastructure projects, such as the Lagos-Abidjan Highway and the West African Power Pool, which are expected to enhance regional connectivity and economic growth.

Dauda, the Executive Director of the Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiatives (CPACI), emphasised that ECOWAS’ resilience and achievements over five decades inspired his solidarity journey.

He believes the organisation must continue fostering unity and cooperation, ensuring that West Africans remain committed to democratic governance and regional development.

His road trip will continue through several ECOWAS member states, with plans to engage more communities in discussions about the future of West African integration.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

2 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.