Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

According to the statement, Shettima will join Heads of State, political leaders, business executives and other stakeholders from across West Africa and beyond at the summit, which will be held at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Freetown.

The summit is expected to deliberate on key policy issues, adopt strategic resolutions and reaffirm the commitment of ECOWAS leaders to promoting peace, democracy, economic growth and regional integration across the sub-region.

The statement noted that the gathering forms part of the ECOWAS mid-year statutory meetings and will bring together Heads of State and Government, ministers, senior government officials and regional institutions to advance the bloc’s shared priorities.

These priorities include strengthening regional security, promoting democratic governance, deepening economic integration, expanding trade, improving infrastructure and advancing sustainable development.

The ECOWAS summit is also expected to provide a platform for leaders to address emerging political and economic challenges facing West Africa while exploring measures to enhance regional cooperation and collective prosperity.

According to the statement, Vice President Shettima will return to Abuja after concluding his official engagements in Sierra Leone.