Toba Owojaiye Reporting
Vice President Kashim Shettima will on a significant diplomatic assignment, stand in for President Bola Tinubu at the G77, China Leaders’ Summit, taking place in Havana, Cuba, from September 15 to 17, 2023.
This high-profile event will see the participation of prominent world leaders and dignitaries, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres.
The Office of the Vice President, led by Mr. Olusola Abiola, Director of Information, has officially announced Vice President Shettima’s role at the summit.
The summit’s primary objective is to deliberate on pressing development issues that particularly affect member nations, especially those in the global south.
Mr. Abiola stressed the summit’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by member-states, emphasizing the utilization of science, technology, and innovation to bolster socio-economic growth.
Apart from participating in the summit’s main activities, Vice President Shettima will engage in bilateral meetings with other global leaders, aiming to fortify Nigeria’s trade and investment relationships in line with President Bola Tinubu’s economic development agenda.
Hosted by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who serves as the Chairman of the G77, this year’s summit revolves around the theme “Current Development Challenges: The Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation,” underscoring the pivotal role of these elements in tackling worldwide development challenges.
Nigeria, a founding member of the G77 since its establishment in 1964, is represented at this prestigious gathering by a delegation that includes key ministers and officials.
As Vice President Shettima assumes this leadership role, Nigeria’s aspirations for stronger global ties and cooperative solutions to development challenges take center stage.