Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, where he is representing President Bola Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day anniversary celebration.
The visit follows an official invitation extended to President Tinubu by Senegalese President Bassirou Faye. In a statement issued on Thursday, Shettima’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed the Vice President’s participation in the historic event.
The Independence Day celebrations, scheduled to take place at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, will see President Faye hosting Vice President Shettima alongside other high-profile dignitaries from across Africa and beyond. The event is expected to feature a series of ceremonial activities, including parades and cultural displays, reflecting Senegal’s rich history and national pride.
Senegal gained independence from French colonial rule on April 4, 1960, and has since marked the occasion annually with grand festivities. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the country’s journey to sovereignty and its commitment to democratic governance and regional cooperation.
Vice President Shettima’s presence at the event underscores Nigeria’s strong diplomatic ties with Senegal and its continued role in fostering regional unity within West Africa. The visit is also seen as a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s support for the newly elected President Faye and his administration.
According to Nkwocha, the Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria immediately after the one-day celebration.
