Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was elected new chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) authority of heads of state and government on July 31 in Lome.

He took over the chairmanship from his Togolese counterpart Faure Gnassingbe, as the 53rd ordinary session of the authority of heads of state and government of ECOWAS.

"I am truly humbled by this honor and confidence you bestowed on my country and myself," Buhari said.

"In accepting to serve, I pledge to do my very best and work with all of you as a team to deliver for our beloved region of West Africa," he added.

The new ECOWAS chairman plans to work "particularly in the areas of peace, security, good governance, as well as economic and social development."

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2018)