VP Shettima’s trip to Samoa cancelled as foreign object hits his aircraft in US

Vice President Kashim Shettima’s scheduled trip to Samoa for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit was canceled after his plane was struck by a foreign object at New York’s JFK Airport.

According to a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the impact damaged the aircraft’s cockpit windscreen, necessitating an immediate halt to the trip. The incident occurred during a stopover in New York, leading to Shettima’s return to Nigeria.

According to the statement, “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, 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.”