Update : Shettima’s plane damaged in New York, forcing cancellation of Samoa trip, Says Onanuga

VICE President Kashim Shettima’s trip to Samoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Summit has been cancelled after a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.

A statement issued last night by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said “The foreign object damaged the cockpit windscreen of the plane.”

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.”