Vice President Kashim Shettima has been mandated to lead a delegation of Nigerians to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesperson to the vice president in a statement on Sunday, October 20, 2024, said 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 Mr Nkwocha, the event themed “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth,” will take place between Monday, October 21 and Sunday, October 26, 2024.
He also said that discussions at CHOGM would focus on how member countries could harness their strengths through resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth.
Mr Nkwocha noted 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,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Nkwocha said that Mr Shettima and other world leaders would deliberate on the global economy and 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.
He said that Mr 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.
Mr Nkwocha added that the Vice President 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.
