President Bola Tinubu has assigned Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
This announcement was disclosed on Sunday by the Vice President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
The meeting, scheduled to take place in the Pacific island nation of Apia from October 21 to 26, will bring together King Charles of England and leaders from 56 Commonwealth member nations.
Discussions will centre around the theme, “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” focusing on how nations can strengthen resilience, unlock their potential, and foster a digitally connected community.
“At this meeting, Nigeria and other member countries will also elect and appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.
“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.
“The candidates for the role are from Lesotho, Ghana, and The Gambia, while Nigeria will have a major role to play as the largest African member in this regard,” the statement read.
Vice President Shettima, alongside other global leaders, will explore solutions to pressing issues such as economic growth, security, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment. He is expected to use the Commonwealth Business Forum as a platform to attract investors, promoting Nigeria’s economic potential to private sector experts.
The Vice President will also engage with civil society through the People’s Forum, where participants can discuss developmental challenges with world leaders. Beyond executive sessions, Shettima will attend bilateral meetings aimed at fostering international partnerships.