By Gloria Ikibah
The Special Envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, was received on Thursday by the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, at the Presidential Palace in Bissau.
According to a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who also serves as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, delivered a formal invitation from President Tinubu to President Embaló to attend the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit scheduled to take place in Abuja from June 20 to 21, 2025. 
The envoy described the summit as a “legacy project of President Tinubu,” noting that it “would revolutionalize the integration process in the region.”
In response, President Embaló expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what he called a “historic move to bring increased momentum to the integration efforts of the region.” He assured of his full support and confirmed his intention to attend the summit in Abuja with a “high-quality delegation.”
The special envoy and her delegation are expected to continue the diplomatic mission with a visit to Accra, Ghana, as part of efforts to garner regional support and participation in the upcoming summit.
