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ECOWAS Elects First Female Speaker

Published by Tope Fakinlede on May 23rd, 2024.

ECOWAS Elects First Female Speaker

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has made history by electing Hajiya Maimounatou Ibrahima as its first female Speaker. Ibrahima was elected on Thursday during the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session of the Sixth Legislature held in Kano.

Ibrahima’s unanimous election by the 112-member parliament marks a significant milestone, as she will lead the parliament for the next four years, until 2028. The plenary session, presided over by Senator Barau Jibrin, the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislature and the Deputy Senate President of Nigeria, was filled with celebratory moments. Female parliamentarians sang solidarity songs in support of Ibrahima’s historic election.

In her acceptance speech, Ibrahima, who hails from Togo, pledged to implement comprehensive reforms to enhance the ECOWAS Parliament’s effectiveness. She highlighted the numerous political and security challenges facing the ECOWAS sub-region, including high unemployment, climate change, and the resurgence of terrorism in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

Ibrahima announced the establishment of a mediation committee to engage with Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, aiming to address the issues that led to their exit from ECOWAS. She emphasized the parliament’s commitment to demonstrating brotherhood and openness in resolving these conflicts.

Further, Ibrahima outlined plans to tackle radicalization by developing the skills of women and youth. She also mentioned the initiation of a communication policy to foster better interaction between the parliament and the community, including partnerships with media members.

Ibrahima expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for their warm reception of the parliament in Nigeria and particularly in Kano.