Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, will no longer attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
His trip was called off following an incident at JFK airport in New York, where his aircraft’s cockpit windscreen was damaged by a foreign object during a stopover.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has appointed a delegation led by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal, to represent Nigeria at the summit, which is already underway in Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26.
Both Shettima and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar have since returned to Nigeria.
A statement by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga read; “Vice President Kashim Shettima’s trip to Samoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Summit has been cancelled after a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.”
“The foreign object damaged the cockpit windscreen of the plane.”
“President Tinubu, acting promptly, has approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit in the 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 (CHOGM) in Samoa, is being led by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal.”
“The summit began on the Pacific island on 21 October. It will end on 26 October.”
“Vice President Shettima and foreign minister Yusuf Tuggar have left New York for Nigeria.”
