Shettima escapes plane crash, makes emergency landing in NYC

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima narrowly escaped a plane crash on his way to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa.

The Vice President’s flight, en route to the Pacific island nation, encountered a critical issue when a foreign object struck the aircraft during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York, severely damaging the cockpit’s windscreen. Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, said in a statement.

“President Tinubu, acting promptly, has approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit in Samoa, capital of Apia, while the plane’s repair has commenced.

“The delegation, which will now represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Samoa, is being led by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal,” said the statement.

The summit, which began on the Pacific island on October 21, will end on October 26.

Shettima and Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Foreign Affairs Minister, has left New York for Nigeria.