Nigeria: VP Shettima cancels trip to represent Nigeria at Samoa Commonwealth Summit after plane damaged at JFK Airport

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.

According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), 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 statement said.

“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 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.”