Tinubu Congratulates Shirley Botchwey, Incoming Commonwealth Sec-Gen

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on her election as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. On Friday, leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations meeting in Apia, Samoa, elected Botchwey, a 61-year-old former lawmaker who has served as Ghana’s foreign minister for the last seven years, as the 7th Secretary-General. She is expected to assume office on April 1, 2025.Botchwey is the second African to be elected secretary-general of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served in that position from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000. She had the backing of Nigeria for the top commonwealth job. The Nigerian leader believes that Botchey’s extensive career in public administration, foreign affairs and regional development makes her a perfect fit for the job. He trusts that Botchey’s leadership experience will bring renewed energy to the Commonwealth’s efforts to advance meaningful economic and political partnerships that drive development and amplify the bloc’s voice in global affairs. President Tinubu said he looks forward to working with the incoming Secretary-General to advance the Commonwealth’s vision of fostering peace, equity and prosperity for all member nations. The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to championing a Commonwealth that prioritises strengthening intra-commonwealth trade, African exports, and a unified presence at the United Nations that supports an African bid for a permanent representation at the Security Council. The President thanked the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her years of leadership and wishes her the best in her future endeavours.

Shettima’s plane attack by ‘foreign object’: Shehu Sani calls for probe

Senator Shehu Sani has called on the Nigerian government to demand a full investigation from the U.S. authorities following an incident involving Vice President Kashim Shettima’s aircraft at John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York. According to a statement from presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga, the vice president’s plane was struck by a “foreign object” that damaged the cockpit window, forcing the cancellation of Shettima’s planned trip to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa. Writing on social media, Sani stressed the need for transparency and accountability from the U.S., given JFK Airport’s status as a high-security aviation hub. He noted that such an event was unprecedented and highlighted the importance of investigating the circumstances thoroughly. Senator Sani also expressed gratitude for the safety of Shettima and all those on board. His words: “The incident at JFK Airport in New York, where a “foreign object” was reported to have hit and damaged the cockpit window of the VP Shettima’s plane, must be treated seriously. “Nigeria must demand a thorough investigation and explanation from the US. Such an incident in one of the most tightly secured aviation spots in the world is unprecedented. “We thank the Almighty for the life of the VP and other crew and staff.”