Nigerian Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, on Thursday departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, where he will represent President Bola Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day anniversary celebrations.
Shettima left Nigeria on Thursday afternoon and is expected to return on Friday, according to an official statement released by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.
“Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960.
“The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades, and cultural events,” Nkwocha said.
He added that Shettima’s attendance at the event follows an invitation extended to President Tinubu by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, highlighting the strong diplomatic ties between the two West African nations.
“The Vice President’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.”
The official Independence Day celebrations will take place at Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye hosting Vice President Shettima alongside other distinguished guests from Africa and beyond.
Meanwhile, Shettima’s trip comes less than 24 hours after President Tinubu departed for Paris, France on Wednesday.
The president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had in a statement described Tinubu’s visit as a “short working trip.”
According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s visit to Paris would allow him to review his administration’s achievements so far, as well as engage in strategic discussions.
