President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delegated Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima to represent him at the Golden Jubilee celebration of São Tomé and Príncipe’s independence.
Vice President Shettima is scheduled to depart Abuja on Saturday, July 12, for São Tomé, the capital of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.
The President is currently outside the country, having attended the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
According to a statement from the presidency on Friday, Shettima will join other African and international leaders at the grand finale of activities marking the island nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
The celebration will feature official speeches, military parades, cultural displays, and traditional performances showcasing the country’s heritage and unity.
Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe enjoy strong bilateral relations, particularly through their collaboration in the Gulf of Guinea. This partnership is institutionalized under the Nigeria–São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Authority (NSTPJDA), which oversees the Joint Development Zone (JDZ).
Beyond this, Nigeria has extended support to the island nation through technical assistance, donations and aid, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria upon the conclusion of the anniversary celebrations.
