What Buhari said after election as ECOWAS chairman

President Muhammadu Buhari was Tuesday in Lome elected the new
Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In his acceptance remarks, the Nigerian leader, who commended his
colleagues for his election, noted that he did not offer himself for
the post, "but you refused to take my no for an answer."

He, however, told his fellow leaders that, "I am truly humbled and
pledge to serve and work with all of you to deliver on peace,
security, good governance and socio-economic development" of the
sub-region, and "take our organisation to greater heights."

Buhari also commended his immediate predecessor and President of Togo,
Faure Gnassingbe for successfully hosting two important meetings of
the Joint Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and
ECOWAS as well as the 53rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads
of State and Government of ECOWAS.

The new Chairman had earlier been presented with the Emblem of ECOWAS
by the outgoing Chairman, while the next meeting of the organisation
will take place in Abuja on December 21, 2018.