Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at Nairobi, Kenya, for the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.
Shettima’s arrival in Kenya wasn’t conventional, as he opted for a chartered commercial private jet.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, who was engaged in a World Economic Forum session in Saudi Arabia, Shettima’s presence underscored Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation and development.
A heartening scene unfolded as Shettima descended from the commercial plane, greeted warmly by officials from both Kenya and Nigeria, as captured in a viral video circulating on social media.
Initially, Shettima was to utilize the Gulfstream G550 class aircraft, which encountered mechanical issues while intended for President Tinubu’s use. This predicament led to President Tinubu’s reliance on a chartered jet to reach the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, ensuring his timely participation.
Shettima’s usual aircraft, the Gulfstream G550 class, typically reserved for such high-level diplomatic engagements, was temporarily diverted due to maintenance issues plaguing the Boeing 737 business jet class, typically assigned to the President.
Since March 25, the Boeing 737 underwent maintenance at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, a joint administrative region controlled by France, Germany, and Switzerland. As of the latest update, the aircraft had yet to return to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Shettima’s Gulfstream plane, having undergone necessary repairs, patiently awaits President Tinubu’s return from Saudi Arabia, poised to ensure a smooth journey back to Nigeria after the conclusion of the economic conference on April 29.