University of Abomey-Calavi students establish ECOWAS Universities Club in Benin

On Tuesday, 13 November 2024, the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) marked a significant milestone with the official inauguration of the ECOWAS Universities Club.

The event was presided over by the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Benin, the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, and the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FADESP).

The ECOWAS Universities Club, one of the first of its kind in the sub-region, is a student-driven initiative designed to promote ECOWAS activities and ideals. Its objectives include fostering civic education among its members and organising socio-educational and cultural activities within and beyond academic settings.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ms Nelly Kelome, UAC’s Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, commended the initiative, describing it as an excellent platform to deepen understanding of ECOWAS and its operations.

She underscored the value of conferences and workshops in equipping young people with the knowledge needed to engage meaningfully in regional development efforts.

Ambassador Amadou Diongue, ECOWAS Resident Representative to Benin, expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, lauding the students’ determination to establish the club. He highlighted the critical role of youth in achieving ECOWAS’s Vision 2050, which aims to transition from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples.”

He called on young people to exhibit leadership and courage in advancing the ideals of prosperity, integration, and freedom across the region. Ambassador Diongue also reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to supporting the club’s activities and thanked the University of Abomey-Calavi for its steadfast partnership.

In his remarks, Mr Joseph Kinnou, President of the Club’s Executive Board, outlined the club’s mission to provide young academics with access to information, training, and opportunities to reflect on critical regional issues.

He emphasised that the club’s formation demonstrates the youth’s awareness of their pivotal role in the community and their desire to take proactive steps toward regional development.

Kinnou called for collective efforts to ensure the success of the club and the broader ECOWAS Community.

Looking to the future, the ECOWAS Universities Club plans to expand its reach by establishing branches in other universities across Benin, enabling more students to participate in its activities and furthering the vision of an integrated and prosperous region.