Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday left Abuja for Cotonou to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration ceremony of Romuald Wadagni as President of the Republic of Benin.
According to a statement released by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima is expected to join several African leaders and other international dignitaries at the ceremony scheduled to hold on Sunday at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou.
The inauguration will officially usher Wadagni into office for a seven-year constitutional tenure. The oath-taking ceremony is set to take place in Porto-Novo, where his running mate, Mariam Chabi Talata, will also be sworn in as Vice President.
Benin Republic’s inauguration activities are traditionally marked by formal state ceremonies, including the handover of power as well as the transfer of presidential insignia and sash at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou. This is usually followed by a motorcade procession to the Charles de Gaulle Stadium in Porto-Novo.
Nigeria and Benin Republic maintain longstanding historical, cultural, and economic relations, although bilateral engagements in recent times have largely centred on border security, trade, and energy collaboration.
Also significant to Nigeria is the peace, stability, and continued integration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional objective President Tinubu has consistently supported since assuming office despite challenges confronting the bloc.
The Vice President travelled alongside senior government officials and aides and is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding his official engagement in Benin Republic.
