Vice President Kashim Shettima has left Abuja for Luanda, Angola, where he will represent President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
The trip was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Nkwocha said the high-level meeting will deliberate on approaches to resolving conflicts and promoting sustainable peace and stability across Africa.
According to the statement, Shettima will join African leaders and other key stakeholders converging on the Angolan capital to discuss practical solutions to regional security challenges and strengthen collective efforts towards conflict prevention and resolution.
Nigeria, which has continued to play a strategic role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution across Africa and beyond, is expected to contribute to deliberations on strengthening continental mechanisms for preventing conflicts, resolving disputes and sustaining peace.
The statement said Nigeria’s participation would reaffirm its commitment to peacebuilding and conflict resolution across the continent.
“Senator Shettima will join African leaders and other key stakeholders converging on the Angolan capital to discuss practical solutions to regional security challenges and strengthen collective efforts towards conflict prevention and resolution,” it stated.
The Vice President, who is accompanied by senior defence and security officials, will deliver Tinubu’s address at the summit.
“Senator Shettima will deliver President Tinubu’s address at the summit, outlining Nigeria’s position on the issues under consideration and reaffirming the country’s commitment to peace and stability across the continent,” the statement added.
The summit is also expected to consider ways of strengthening continental mechanisms for preventing conflicts, resolving disputes and sustaining peace amid security challenges across Africa.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in Angola.