By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
VICE PRESIDENT Kashim Shettima’s planned trip to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa has been halted due to a damaged cockpit windshield.
According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the aircraft suffered damage when a foreign object struck the cockpit windshield during a stopover at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu swiftly approved a replacement delegation to represent Nigeria at the Samoa summit.
This delegation, led by Environment Minister Balarabe Abass Lawal, is now set to take part in the summit’s sessions on resilience, digital transformation, and development strategies for the Commonwealth.
Shettima, initially designated by Tinubu to lead Nigeria’s delegation, and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar have returned to Nigeria.
The VP was scheduled to attend various executive sessions, bilateral meetings, and engage with global leaders on development-focused dialogues.
The CHOGM summit, which began on October 21 in Samoa’s capital, Apia, will conclude on October 26.
Ministerial Delegation to Represent Nigeria
Nigeria’s participation in the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, has shifted to a ministerial delegation following an incident involving Vice President Kashim Shettima’s aircraft.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed a ministerial team to represent Nigeria at the summit, with Minister of Environment Balarabe Abass Lawal leading the delegation.
The CHOGM summit, already underway, began on October 21 and is set to conclude on October 26.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that Vice President Shettima and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar returned to Nigeria for safety.
The incident has raised questions over aviation security, yet officials assure the aircraft’s repairs are underway and security remains a priority.
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