Kashim Shettima has cancelled his planned trip to the United States of America to attend the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.
Shettima was expected to represent Tinubu at the summit due to the president’s absence following his recent official trip to Saudi Arabia.
In a statement released on Monday evening by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, it was announced that Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar would now attend the summit on behalf of Tinubu.
Nkwocha explained that Shettima’s aircraft encountered technical issues, prompting a detour based on advice from the presidential air fleet, which led to the cancellation of his trip.
The statement also highlighted that the summit, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, will assemble political and business leaders from Africa, the United States, and other regions. The event will include high-level dialogues, networking sessions, and plenary discussions.
Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, will step in to represent Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.
Kashim Shettima, who was initially designated to attend on behalf of tinubu, was unable to travel due to a technical issue with his aircraft. On advice from the Presidential Air Fleet, he had to make a detour and was therefore unable to make the summit.
Several African heads of state expected to attend include 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 promote economic cooperation and explore investment opportunities between the United States and African countries.
