Politics

PRESIDENT TINUBU WELCOMES MULTI-SECTORAL AGREEMENTS WITH QATAR; SET TO RECEIVE QATAR’S INVESTMENT TEAM IN ABUJA

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2024

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, on Sunday in Doha, witnessed the signing of historic agreements between both nations, opening a gateway for leveraging the potential of mutual cooperation in pivotal sectors of education, enterprise development, investment promotion, youth empowerment, mining, tourism, and sports.

Before the signing ceremony at the Qatar Presidential Palace, President Tinubu assured his host of Nigeria’s preparedness to welcome investors into the country, noting the ongoing reforms that favour innovation, return on investments, and multiculturalism.

“Our greatest strength is our people. Our strength lies in the capacity of Nigerian youths. They have energy, talent, and self-belief. They are quality partners for Qatari industry. They are educated and reliable, and they are proactively seeking to add value wherever they are. A few cannot give a bad name to the many. Nigerian youths are ready to be unleashed for the mutual benefit of both nations.

“We have seen clearly the rapid pace and thorough quality of Qatar’s development process. It is impossible not to be moved by what you have accomplished. The leadership in the country has proven its mettle, and we are here to gain deeper insight.

“There is nowhere in the world where you will find return on investment at the level of what you will see in Nigeria. A massive market of over 200 million skilled Nigerians, always industrious and ready to work.

“We face some short-term turbulence at the moment, but we have a government today that reflects the dynamism and talent of the Nigerian people. We are implementing the right solutions. This team works collaboratively with each other and our partners. Nigeria is ready for serious business,” the President stated.

The Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emphasized that Qatar is open to President Tinubu’s investment push, recalling that he traveled to Nigeria in 2019 owing to his belief that Nigeria is an important and strategic ally on its own and within the context of its role in regional affairs.

“I have no doubt about the great capacity of the Nigerian people. Everywhere in the world, they are known for their brilliance and hard work. We only need to ensure that this is happening inside of Nigeria rather than outside. The investments we have made around the world have been very fruitful. This is because we take our time and study opportunities before we invest the common wealth of our people. It is not my money. The money we invest belongs to the future generations of Qatar.

“Mr. President, I am very encouraged by your actions and your passion to create new opportunities. We are very open to this, and follow-up is everything at this point. The will is there for both of us, but we must follow up. I will send a team of officials to Nigeria after Ramadan, and we will advance discussions on what some of the actionable investment opportunities are,” the Qatari leader said.

President Tinubu immediately named the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun as the team leader of the government team that will interface with Qatari authorities in investment identification and implementation moving forward.

Furthermore, during the bilateral deliberations, President Tinubu enabled a brief presentation to the Emir by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who spoke in detail about the high-grade of several minerals, including lithium, immediately derivable across the country with an emphasis on imminent opportunities for local mineral processing and value-additive industry in the sector.

The bilateral engagement was followed by a closed-door meeting between the two Heads of State before they proceeded to the signing ceremony for seven bilateral agreeements across multiple sectors.

The seven agreements signed are: cooperation agreement in the field of education; regulation of employment of workers with the Government of Qatar; establishment of a joint business council (JBC) between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA); in addition to a cooperation agreement in the field of youths and sports.

The other agreements are: cooperation in the field of tourism and business events, and a memorandum of understanding combating illicit trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The documents were signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and relevant officials in the Government of the State of Qatar, Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Dr. Ahmad Hassen Al-Hammadi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI), and Abdullah bin Khalaf bin Hattab Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior (MOI).

Nigerian ministers who were present at the ceremony were: Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperipe Ekpo.

Also at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

March 3, 2024

Politics

Rivers: You can’t join APC through backdoor, window – Okocha warns Fubara

Published

8 hours ago

June 15, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has cautioned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, on the possibility of defecting to the party.

Okocha said Fubara can’t join the APC through the back door, and must go through the laid down procedures.

Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Okocha said Fubara must join the APC from the ward level.

He said, “Just like every other Nigerian, he is at liberty to join any political party. That is the law. But, I say anybody, not restricted to the governor, the suspended governor anyway, anybody who wants to join the APC should enter the party through the door, not through the window.

“You have to go to your ward to enroll because your name as a member of the party cannot be found at the national secretariat except it comes from your ward. That is the proper door, that is the proper process.”

Fubara is currently serving a six month suspension following a state of emergency declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.

Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly due to the political crisis in the state.

The President appointed a Sole Administrator to preside over the state during the period of his suspension.

The crisis began shortly after Fubara became governor, following a disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the control of political resources in the state.

The crisis quickly degenerated into the bombing of the State House of Assembly and the sponsoring of the factionalization of the legislative arm in the state.

Despite Tinubu’s intervention for peace, the crisis persisted, and to prevent it from snowballing into a security outbreak, the President suspended the governor.

Since his suspension, Fubara has met with Tinubu and Wike in an effort to reconcile with all relevant stakeholders in the state.

Politics

Gov Uba Sani coronates Sambo as 5th Chief of Moro’a in Kaduna

Published

8 hours ago

June 15, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, on Saturday, presented the staff of office to Ishaku Tagwai Sambo as the 5th Chief of Moro’a, a First Class Chiefdom in the state.

The ceremony, which took place in Manchok, followed Sambo’s confirmation as the successor to his late father, Chief Tagwai Sambo, who reigned for 58 years until his death in 2021.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Sani urged the new monarch to lead with fairness and compassion, describing the appointment as a responsibility entrusted by the people and endorsed by the laws of the state.

“You are succeeding a colossus, the late Chief Tagwai Sambo, your father, who reigned for 58 remarkable years and was known for peace, patience, and purpose,” he said.

The governor called on residents of the Chiefdom to support their new traditional ruler, saying his administration recognises traditional institutions as key stakeholders in promoting peace, security, and development.

In his acceptance speech, Chief Ishaku Sambo expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him and pledged to sustain the legacy of his late father.

“Our Chiefdom enjoyed remarkable peace, prosperity, and development under his reign. I am committed to preserving that legacy and serving with humility and diligence,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Speaker Henry Magaji, Senator Danjuma La’ah, Hon. Mathew Kuzalio, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), former Deputy Governor James Bawa Magaji, and the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, among others.

Politics

Tinubu has Northern Nigeria at heart — Gov Inuwa Yahaya

Published

9 hours ago

June 15, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown genuine love and commitment to the development of Northern Nigeria, particularly through his investments in the livestock sector.

The governor made this statement on Saturday during the ground-breaking ceremony of a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone in Gombe State.

According to the Governor, no northern leader in nearly five decades had invested as much in the livestock value chain as President Tinubu has done within his first year in office.

He said, “If not for a President who loves his people and has the capacity and will, this transformation would not have happened. No northern leader in 47 years of power considered investing ₦120 billion to transform the livestock sector, despite it being a predominantly northern industry.”

Yahaya praised President Tinubu’s administration for initiating programmes that are already bringing positive changes across the country, especially in agriculture and livestock development.

He noted that the Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone being established in Gombe is part of the president’s broader plan to boost food security, create jobs, and grow the economy.

“The president approved ₦120 billion for the development of the livestock sector and has already released 50 per cent of the funds. This is a clear indication of his commitment to the economic well-being of our people,” the governor said.

He also assured President Tinubu of the full support of Gombe people ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I assure the President that for what he has done, is doing, and will do, Gombe people will follow him to the battlefield blindfolded. We will work for his success in 2027. By God’s grace, his re-election is assured.”

Gov. Yahaya urged Nigerians to remain patient, adding that although current reforms may come with temporary hardship, the long-term benefits under President Tinubu’s leadership will be worth the wait.