The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, was compelled to alter his plans to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, following a technical fault with his aircraft.
A statement released on Monday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, clarified that Shettima’s departure was thwarted on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.
In light of this development, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will now assume the responsibility of representing President Tinubu at the Business Summit.
The statement elucidated: “Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was originally scheduled to represent the President, was unable to embark on the trip due to a technical fault with his aircraft, necessitating a detour on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet. The Vice President will proceed with other national duties.”
The US-Africa Business Summit, a significant event hosted at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, will convene political and business leaders from Africa, the United States, and other regions. The summit will encompass high-level dialogues, networking sessions, and plenaries.
Notable African heads of state anticipated to attend include 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 cancellation of Shettima’s attendance underscores the critical importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of official travel arrangements for dignitaries representing Nigeria on the global stage.