JUST-IN: Shettima to represent Tinubu at commonwealth leaders’ meeting in Samoa

• At this meeting, Nigeria and other member countries will also elect and appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. 
• 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. 

President Bola Tinubu has assigned Vice-President Kashim Shettima to head Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, issued the directive in a statement on Sunday.

Nigeria and other member states are slated to elect the next Commonwealth secretary-general.

“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 small island of Apia, Samoa from October 21 to 26,” the statement reads.

“They will deliberate on the theme, “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.”

Nkwocha explained that the theme focuses on fostering resilience, unlocking potential, and leveraging the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’ to create a connected, digital community.

“VP Shettima and other world leaders will build upon the accomplishments of CHOGM 2022, exploring global economic, environmental, and security challenges,” he said.

“The objective is to discuss collaborative strategies for Commonwealth nations to enhance resilience, stimulate trade and innovation, and empower 1.5 billion young people for a peaceful and sustainable future.”

“In accordance with the revised 2022 Agreed Memorandum on the Establishment and Functions of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and regional rotation principles, the next Secretary-General will hail from Africa.”

Candidates from Lesotho, Ghana, and The Gambia are vying for the position, with Nigeria playing a pivotal role as the largest African member.

Shettima is expected to utilize the Commonwealth Business Forum to attract investors to Nigeria.

He will participate in the People’s Forum, engaging with global leaders on development issues and attending bilateral meetings and executive sessions.