Shettima Cancels Trip to US-Africa Summit, as Plane Develops Technical Fault

*VP plane makes a detour on advice of presidential air fleet

*Foreign minister now to represent Tinubu at the Texas summit

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

Vice President Kashim Shettima has cancelled his trip to Dallas-Texas in the United States where he was expected to represent President Bola Tinubu at the US-Africa Summit.

The trip cancellation, according to a release issued on Monday by Media Assistant to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, was due to technical fault developed by Shettima’s plane and had to detour on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.

The Vice President Shettima, the statement said, 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.  

The Vice President will carry on with other national duties.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, will now represent President Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.

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 features 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.