By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima could not proceed to Samoa where he to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, (CHOGM) after a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport, New York.
The foreign object damaged the cockpit’s windscreen of the plane, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, said in a statement.
“President Tinubu, acting promptly, has approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit in Samoa, capital of Apia, while the plane’s repair has commenced.
“The delegation, which will now represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Samoa, is being led by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal,” said the statement.
The summit, which began on the Pacific island on October 21, will end on October 26.
Shettima and Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Foreign Affairs Minister, have left New York for Nigeria.
President Tinubu had on Sunday mandated Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 CHOGM
Shettima was expected to join King Charles of England and other world leaders from 56 member countries at the CHOGM scheduled to hold in the Pacific small island of Apia, Samoa with the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” will hold from Oct. 21 to 26.
Discussions at the forum would focus on how member countries could harness their strengths through resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth.
He said that Nigeria and other member countries would also elect and appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.
