Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Saturday, July 12, depart Abuja for São Tomé, the capital of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the country’s 50th Independence Day celebration.
In a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima will join other African and global leaders at the grand finale of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.’
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The anniversary events will feature official speeches, ceremonial parades, cultural exhibitions, and traditional performances, all aimed at showcasing São Tomé and Príncipe’s unity and cultural heritage.
Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe maintain strong diplomatic ties, with key cooperation in regional development and resource management. A major component of this partnership is the Nigeria–São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Authority (NSTPJDA), which manages the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea.
Nigeria has also supported the island nation through technical assistance, humanitarian aid, and medical relief efforts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding his official assignment.