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

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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

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Buhari: He sent DSS to my house at midnight, I’m still alive – Igboho

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Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has reacted to the death of former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Igboho in a viral video, recounted how the former president allegedly ordered officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, to invade his residence at midnight.

Igboho, who claimed that the invasion was aimed at taking him out, also alleged that the former president colluded with some Yoruba indigenes.

He said, “I thank God for my life today, see life! The man that sent DSS to come and kill me in the middle of the night on July 4th 2021 has died today.

“My people, we are supposed to learn from this. That man, Muhammadu Buhari is dead, but I’m alive today. I thank God for my life.

“The man that ganged up with some stupid Yoruba people came to my house to take my life but God said no”.

Ekwutosblog reports that the former Nigerian leader died on Sunday in London after a brief illness.

His remains are expected to arrive in the country for immediate burial in Daura, Katsina state on Monday. 

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Constitution Amendment: Niger Govt submits proposal

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The Niger State Government has submitted a joint document to the House Committee on Constitution Review containing the state’s collective views and recommendations on key areas.

The areas include restructuring, devolution of powers, state policing, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, and electoral process.

The position of the state was presented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Mu’azu during the public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for the North Central Zone, Centre A, covering Niger, Kwara, and Kogi States in Minna.

The Commissioner explained that the document was developed after broad consultations and stakeholder engagement across the state.

Mu’azu also noted that the state government had made a case for additional creation of local government areas in the state while expressing optimism that the document will be given due consideration

The House Committee Consultant, Prof. Kathleen Okafor, who presented the summarised compendium of bills before the House, disclosed that it has some thematic areas based on evolving needs, which are electoral, judicial, legislative, and physical reform

“Others are inclusive governance, security and policing, devolution of powers, strengthening of institutions, the role of rural communities, traditional institutions, citizenship and Indigineship, fundamental rights, and many more,” Okafor said.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of traditional rulers, Alh Yahaya Abubakar, on behalf of the National Council of Traditional Rulers also submitted a memo on the Constitution amendment centred on creating roles for traditional rulers on matters involving religion, culture, security, and justice, among others.

Presentations for the creation of Edu State comprising Bida, Lapai and Agaie Emirates, and the Kainji State consist of Borgu and Kontagora Emirates of the present Niger State and Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State were made by Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani and Amb. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, respectively.

Similarly, representatives from Kogi and Kwara states also submitted their memos for the creation of Okun, Okura and Efesowofo states out of the present Kogi and Kwara states, respectively.

The House Committee received documents from women groups, organized labour unions and youth groups, among others, for consideration.

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BREAKING: Former President Muhammadu Buhari is dead

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammdu Buhari is dead.

His former aide, Bashir Ahmad announced the passing of the former president on X.

 

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