Qatar Makes U-turn, Accepts Tinubu’s Visitation Request
The government of Qatar has reversed itself and accepted Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s request to visit the country for a business and investment meeting.
Ibom Focus earlier reported that the Qatari authorities in a letter sent to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, February 22, said that the Middle East country would not be able to welcome President Tinubu and hold the proposed forum intended to hold on March 2 and 3.
Qatar said that the rejection of President Tinubu’s request for visitation for the business and investment forum was due to the lack of a legally binding agreement between the country and Nigeria for the promotion of investment.
The country in the letter further noted that its ministry of commerce had other commitments on the days President Tinubu desired to visit.
However, in a letter dated February 23, 2024, the Qatar government made a U-turn and said that it had approved President Tinubu’s visit request, noting that the President’s meeting with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce would be on March 3.
The letter read, “The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja presents its compliments to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Regarding the upcoming State visit of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Qatar from 2nd-3rd March 2024 and with reference to our Note: Ref: QEA\FA\057\24 dated 22/02/2024 regarding holding of a Business and Investment Forum (BIF) on the margins of Mr. President’s visit to Qatar on 2nd March 2024.
“The Embassy has the honour to convey that the Qatar Chamber of Commerce will host the above mentioned event on 3rd march 2024, as proposed by the Nigerian side.
“The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja presents its compliments to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
