Tinubu appoints Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation at 2024 CHOGM in Samoa

President Bola Tinubu has tasked Vice-President Kashim Shettima with leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The announcement was made on Sunday by Shettima’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.

Shettima will represent Nigeria alongside global leaders, including King Charles III, at the CHOGM, set to take place from October 21 to 26 in Apia, Samoa. Themed “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” the summit will focus on boosting resilience, harnessing potential, and leveraging digital innovation within the 56-member Commonwealth.

The agenda also includes the election and appointment of the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.

“In line with the agreed memorandum on the establishment and functions of the Commonwealth Secretariat (revised 2022), and the principle of regional rotation, the next Commonwealth Secretary-General will come from the Africa Region.

“The candidates for the role are from Lesotho, Ghana, and The Gambia, while Nigeria will have a major role to play as the largest African member in this regard.”

Similarly, Nkwocha said that Shettima and other world leaders would deliberate on the global economy, environmental and security challenges.

“They will also discuss how Commonwealth countries can work together to build resilience, boost trade, innovation, growth and empower the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young people for a more peaceful and sustainable future,” he said.

He said that Shettima would use the platform provided by the Commonwealth Business Forum to further attract investors to Nigeria.

He revealed that global experts from businesses and the private sector would convene to recommend and champion solutions to global challenges.

Nkwocha added that Shettima would participate in the People’s Forum, the single largest opportunity organised by the Commonwealth Foundation for people to engage with leaders on global development issues.

“The Vice-President will also engage in bilateral meetings and other executive sessions,” he said.