By Omowumi Omotosho
Vice-President, Kashim Shettima was on Thursday forced to abort his trip to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government (CHOGM) summit in Samoa following a damage to the presidential aircraft conveying him to the meeting by a ” foreign object”.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said in a statement late on Thursday that a “foreign object” damaged the cockpit’s windshield.
He said the incident occurred during a stopover at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
“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,” Onanuga said.
“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.”
Onanuga said the vice-president and Yusuf Tuggar, the foreign affairs minister, have left New York for Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu had directed Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the summit.
The theme of this year’s summit is resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the Commonwealth advantage, and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth for member countries.
Shettima was expected to participate in the People’s Forum, engage with global leaders on development issues, and attend bilateral meetings and executive sessions.
The summit which began on October 21 is billed to end on October 26.
