President Bola Tinubu has tasked Vice President Kashim Shettima with leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
The announcement was made in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications.
Titled “VP Shettima To Represent President Tinubu At CHOGM 2024,” the statement outlined that “VP Shettima will join King Charles of England and other world leaders from 56 member countries at the first CHOGM to be held in the Pacific island of Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26.”
During the meeting, the leaders will discuss the theme, “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” which aims to explore how member nations can enhance resilience, unlock potential, leverage the Commonwealth Advantage,and create a more connected, digital Commonwealth.
According to the statement, the election of the next Commonwealth Secretary-General will also be a key agenda item.
“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,” it stated.
Candidates for the position include nominees from Lesotho, Ghana, and The Gambia, with Nigeria playing a prominent role as the largest African member.
Building on progress from CHOGM 2022, Vice President Shettima and other global leaders will also deliberate on pressing issues such as the global economy, environmental challenges, and security concerns.
They will explore ways to foster resilience, enhance trade, boost innovation, and empower the 1.5 billion young people within the Commonwealth for a more peaceful, sustainable future.
Shettima will take part in several key engagements, including the Commonwealth Business Forum, where global business experts will convene to tackle global challenges and explore investment opportunities.
He is expected to use this platform to further attract investors to Nigeria.
Additionally, he will participate in the People’s Forum, which offers citizens the opportunity to engage with leaders on global development issues, and will hold bilateral meetings and executive sessions.
The trip to Samoa marks Shettima’s 11th foreign destination and 12th trip abroad since assuming office.
To date, the Vice President has spent 56 days abroad, visiting countries including Italy, Russia, South Africa, China, Cuba, and the United States, accumulating over 93 flight hours in the process.
