President Bola Tinubu has mandated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Shettima’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, said on Sunday in Abuja.
Nkwocha, in a statement, explained that Shettima would join King Charles of England and other world leaders from 56 member countries at the CHOGM scheduled to hold in the Pacific small island of Apia, Samoa.
According to him, the event with the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” will hold from Oct. 21 to 26.
He said that discussions would focus on how member countries could harness their strengths through resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth.
He said that Nigeria and other member countries would 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.”
Similarly, Nkwocha said that Shettima and other world leaders would deliberate on the global economy, environmental and security challenges.
“They will also discuss how Commonwealth countries can work together to build resilience, boost trade, innovation, growth and empower the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young people for a more peaceful and sustainable future,” he said.
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He said that Shettima would use the platform provided by the Commonwealth Business Forum to further attract investors to Nigeria.
He revealed that global experts from businesses and the private sector would convene to recommend and champion solutions to global challenges.
Nkwocha added that Shettima would participate in the People’s Forum, the single largest opportunity organised by the Commonwealth Foundation for people to engage with leaders on global development issues.
“The Vice-President will also engage in bilateral meetings and other executive sessions,” he said.(NAN)