JUST-IN: VP Shettima Makes Detour, Cancels US Trip Over Aircraft Fault

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, will now represent President Bola 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.

According to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, on Monday, the Vice President will carry on with other national duties at home.

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 will feature 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.

LEADERSHIP reports that Vice President Shettima had left Abuja earlier on Sunday for the United States for the summit.