VP Shettima’s trip to Samoa canceled due to aircraft damage

Vice President Kashim Shettima will no longer represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa due to an aircraft issue.

The trip was called off after “a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York,” according to a statement from the Presidency on Thursday night.

As a result, Nigeria will be represented by a delegation led by the Minister of the Environment, Balarabe Lawal.

The statement, issued by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, was titled ‘Cockpit windscreen of VP Shettima’s plane damaged at JFK airport, ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at Samoa Commonwealth summit.’

Shettima had departed Abuja last Sunday for the summit at the request of President Bola Tinubu.

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Onanuga stated, “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.”

He added, “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, headed by Lawal, is set to attend the summit, which began on the Pacific island on October 21 and will conclude on October 26. Shettima was expected to join leaders from 56 member countries, including King Charles of England, at the first CHOGM hosted in Apia, Samoa.

The summit’s theme focuses on how member nations can utilize their strengths through resilience and foster a connected, digital Commonwealth. Additionally, leaders will be involved in electing and appointing the next Commonwealth Secretary-General, discussing the theme, ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.’

Onanuga confirmed, “Vice President Shettima and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar have left New York for Nigeria.”

This incident marks the second time Shettima has canceled a trip midway; in May, he returned midflight from a scheduled appearance at the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas due to a technical issue with his aircraft, after heeding the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.

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