By Salihu Inusa, Maiduguri
THE Speaker Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan has called on the Federal Government to buy a new aircraft to Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
He lamented that the precious life of the Vice President who has been criss-crossing various countries to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in an official engagements is now at risk, as his designated aircraft has had several aborted air mishaps in recent times.
Recall apart from incident of presidential jet and that of VP Shettima malfunctioned in the same month, just last Thursday 24th September, 2024, President Kashim Shettima’s trip to Samoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Summit has been cancelled after a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York that even damaged some parts including the windscreen of the cockpit.
Early this year, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence mandated the Federal Government to acquire new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, unfortunately, the federal government bought only one to President Tinubu, and left that of the VP, who since, has no option than to always cruise his precious life and that of his crew/staff using the ill-fated and old plane while representing the President on domestic and foreign assignment.
Reacting to the development in a press statement which the Borno Speaker personally signed, a copy which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Maiduguri sympathize with Nigerian Government, especially the office of the Vice President, his crew and staff over the unfortunate incident.
Rt. Hon. Lawan also expressed gratitude to Allah (God) for saving the lives of those on board the ill- fated VP’s plane, even as he asked the Nigerian government to demand a thorough and timely investigation from the United States government over the incident that affected Vice President Kashim Shettima’s plane at one of the most secured spot in the World.
“The life of the Vice President, and that of his crew/officials stand at risk while using the old and faulty presidential aircraft. Therefore, there is the urgent need to acquire a new aircraft to Senator Kashim Shettima so as to avoid these recurrence of air mishaps.
” I want to sympathize with Nigerian Government, especially the office of the Vice President, his crew and staff over the unfortunate incident at JFK Airport in New York, U.S.A.
” I also express my gratitude to Allah (God) for saving the precious life of our dear Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and those on board the ill- fated VP’s plane, even as I urge the Nigerian government to demand a thorough and timely investigation from the United States government over the incident that affected Vice President Kashim Shettima’s plane at one of the most secured spot in the World”. Lawan stated. End
