Nigeria, Qatar to Sign 8 Bilateral Agreements on Sunday

President Bola Tinubu has stressed that nation building requires perseverance and patriotism to succeed.

The Nigerian President stated this while speaking with newsmen shortly after inspecting the National Museum of Qatar, in Doha on Saturday.

Meanwhile Tinubu will engage the business community and and join his host at the Palace of the Emir of Qatar,  for the signing of eight bilateral agreements. 

Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, told newsmen on Saturday in Doha that Nigeria expects a strong partnership between the two countries going forward, as Qatar which is the third largest gas producer, seeks to open up investment opportunities for Nigeria business community. 

“It will interest you to know that Qatar investors are in several countries in Africa, but not in Nigeria. Nigeria and Qatar jointly have stakes in the future of gas, as the debate is on as to the future of gas in the energy transition plans.”

Speaking on the benefits of the visit for local MSMEs in Nigeria, Tuggar said the visit provides opportunities for the business community to further engage with their Qatar partners to explore mutually beneficial relationship. 

Also speaking, Minister of Youth Development Jamila Ibrahim, expressed high hopes for the Nigerian youths as the Ministry was able to mobilise youths to Qatar on the President’s instructions to engage with their business community for mutual benefits. 

She said: “We are here with about 17 young entrepreneurs in our team to attend the Nigeria/ Qatar business summit and we are looking forward to securing cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and oil and gas”.

Speaking to Nigeria’s current economic challenges,Tinubu noted that since the beginning of nations, nationalism and patriotism have remained a major ingredient for tackling various challenges along the way, adding that “you learn as you go on”.

President Tinubu who was kickstarting his two-day state visit to Qatar with the visit to the Museum, was conducted round the edifice which is located in the heart of Doha and built on a  land of about 430,500 square feet.

Speaking on the significance of the museum, the President stated that “it is great to document culture from the beginning of history, the culture of civilization, collaborations, challenges and perseverance of leadership.”

On replicating same in Nigeria, he said “we still have a long way to go”. 

He, however, expressed happiness for the opportunity to take a guided tour of the edifice, adding that “I am glad I am here. it is a great honour, you learn everyday of your life.”

The President was conducted round the edifice by the CEO of Qatar Museums, Mohammed saad Al Rumaihi.

From the Museum, the President also visited the Qatar Foundation, responsible for promoting Qatar government humanitarian activities in other countries, including Nigeria.

The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is a state-led non profit organisation, dedicated to helping humanity on the areas of Science, Research and documentation 

The institution which was founded in 1995 by the then Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his second wife, Moza bint Nasser Al-Missne, has been linked to development of schools, houses and health facilities in several countries, including Nigeria. 

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, while speaking on the contributions of the Foundation to development in Nigeria, attested to the humanitarian activities of the foundation in the northern part of Nigeria

He disclosed that the Qatar Foundation is currently building orphanages, houses and schools in both Maiduguri, the Borno state capital and other places in the northern part of Nigeria. 

“Their main objective is to assist displaced and downtrodden communities in Nigeria. 

We want to give our appreciation to the Qatar Charity  Foundation.

“We believe that with the presence of the President of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, this organization will provide more support to the government of Nigeria both at the national and subnational levels. 

“The main objective of the foundation are geared towards enhancing education, Science and research in community development”.

He also expressed the hope that Nigerian entrepreneurs especially in the areas of agriculture and animal husbandry will continue to benefit from the relationship between Nigeria and Qatar

Zulum, while noting that Qatar has perfected the development of agriculture particularly livestock farming, also expressed the hope that Nigeria will leverage on the relationship to solve the farmers/herders clash

“What we need from them particularly, is in the areas of research in community development, because they export meat and other food items, 

“We are speaking about cattle grazing and farmers/ herders clashes and I think the Qatari Foundation will come in through research, because in the northern Nigeria, we share climatic conditions with Qatar. I hope that they will do the research in such a way that the two countries will mutually benefit from.”

On his part, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State who is on the President’s entourage expressed deep appreciation to their host for providing the opportunities to engage with the Qatar investors and look forward to a rewarding experience. 

He cited the areas of agriculture, particularly, livestock farming as one of the most important areas that Nigeria business community can benefit from. 

Sani noted that Nigeria ‘s solid minerals development plans will also get a boost as a result of the engagements, especially by the sub national governments. 

According to him: “The Qatar Foundation has only five months ago invested millions of Dollars to support the under privileged people in Kaduna state, by building hundreds of houses, hospitals for the less privileged people.

“Kaduna state is also looking at a strong partnership in the solid minerals sector as the state is blessed with Lithium and gold. This, including the areas of livestock development are areas we can collaborate with the Qatar government”.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

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