Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has travelled from Abuja to Cotonou, the capital of the Republic of Benin, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration ceremony of Benin’s President-elect, Romuald Wadagni.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the trip was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
According to the statement, the inauguration ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou. Leaders from different African countries and other parts of the world are expected to attend the event.
The Presidency said Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have maintained a close relationship over the years due to their shared history, culture, and economic ties. Both countries also continue to work together on matters relating to border security, trade, and energy cooperation.
Nkwocha added that Shettima travelled with senior government officials and aides for the engagement in Benin. He is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration activities are concluded.
“Benin and Nigeria share deep historical, socio-cultural, and economic ties, though their modern bilateral relations are frequently defined by border security, trade policies, and energy cooperation.
“Of importance to Nigeria is also the stability, peace and deepened integration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to which President Tinubu has remained committed to since assumption of office, despite its challenges,” the statement read in part.