Originally set to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit, Vice President Kashim Shettima has hit an unexpected obstacle, forcing a last-minute change in plans.
The summit, set to take place from May 6 to May 9, 2024, promised a gathering of political and business figures from across Africa, the United States, and beyond, offering a platform for high-level dialogues, networking sessions, and plenaries.
However, a statement released on Monday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, disclosed that a technical fault with the VP’s aircraft necessitated the alteration.
“The Vice President had to heed the advice of the managers of the Presidential Air Fleet,” Nkwocha stated.
In light of this development, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will now step in to represent President Bola Tinubu at the summit, while Vice President Shettima will continue with his other national duties, as per the official statement.
The high-profile event, to be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, will still see the participation of various African heads of state, including 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.
With its aim to foster economic cooperation and explore investment opportunities between the United States and African countries, the US-Africa Business Summit remains a significant platform despite this unforeseen setback.
