Aircraft technical fault forces Shettima to aborts US trip

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has aborted his official visit to the United State where he was scheduled to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.

The change of plans was occasioned by a technical fault with the aircraft, forcing him to make a detour on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet managers.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, would represent the President at the event, according to a statement on Monday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

Confirming whereabouts bouts of Vice President Shettima, in response to a question, Nkwocha affirmed on Monday evening that his boss in the country.

Shettima was scheduled to have left Abuja on Sunday evening.

“The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, will now represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.

“Vice President Kashim Shettima who was originally scheduled to represent the President was unable to make the trip following a technical fault with his aircraft, forcing him to make a detour on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.

“The Vice President will carry on with other national duties.

“The high-profile summit, taking place 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 Business Summit aims to foster economic cooperation and explore investment opportunities between the United States and African countries,” the statement reads.