A damage to the plane of Vice President Kashim Shettima during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York, United States, has forced the cancellation of his scheduled trip to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa, Oceania.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Ononuga, in a statement noted that a foreign object struck the plane, damaging the cockpit windscreen and made President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to swiftly approve a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit.
The delegation, led by Minister of the Environment Balarabe Abass Lawal, will represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, in Apia, the Samoa capital.
The summit, which began on October 21, will end on October 26.
Shettima and Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar have departed New York for Nigeria, while repairs on the damaged plane commence.
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The statement reads: “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 the 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.”
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