Vice President Shettima’s trip to US-Africa Business Summit hits snag

Vice President Kashim Shettima’s plans to represent President Bola Tinubu at the prestigious 2024 US-Africa Business Summit have been disrupted due to a technical issue with his aircraft.

Shettima was slated to join a distinguished gathering of political and business leaders from Africa, the United States, and beyond at the summit, which is scheduled to take place from May 6 to May 9, 2024. The event promises high-level dialogues, networking sessions, and plenary discussions.

However, a statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Vice President, on Monday, attributed the change in plans to a technical fault with the Vice President’s aircraft.

According to Nkwocha, the Vice President had to heed the advice of the managers of the Presidential Air Fleet.

Read Also: Presidency defends Seyi Tinubu’s business interests, slams Atiku’s allegations

Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will now represent President Bola Tinubu at the Summit.

”The Vice President will carry on with other national duties,” the statement read.

The high-profile summit at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will bring together political and business leaders from across Africa, the United States, and other regions. It features high-level dialogues, networking sessions, and plenaries.

”Among the African heads of state expected are President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, President Joao Lourenço of Angola, President Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi of Botswana, President José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, and Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara of Lesotho.”

”The US-Africa Businesshol Summit aims to foster economic cooperation and explore investment opportunities between the United States and African countries.”

As the summit proceeds without the Vice President’s participation, observers are left wondering about the implications of this unexpected turn of events on Nigeria’s representation and interests at the prestigious gathering.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now