…We won’t comment on leaks – Foreign Ministry

…Nothing strange about Qatar’s note verbale – Diplomatic Official

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

The State of Qatar, has said it will not be available for a business and investment forum during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the country in March.

President Tinubu, Sunday Sun gathered, is due to visit Qatar from March 2nd to March 3rd, on the invitation of the State of Qatar.

In a note verbale with reference number QEA\FA\057\24, dated February 22, 2024, and addressed to the Protocol Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja said: “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 your Note: Ref: ME.631\2024 dated 12/02/2024, which proposed 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 inform that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologizes that it will not be able to hold a Business and Investment Forum as proposed by Nigerian side due to the following reasons:

“Unfortunately, there is no any agreement signed between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection.

“His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry will be carrying out official missions outside the country during the upcoming visit period.

“The State of Qatar will be hosting a Web Summit during the suggested period and the State’s authorities will be preoccupied with this event.”

Responding to the development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it won’t comment on leaks.

The Ministry however said President Tinubu will embark on a state visit to Qatar from 2nd – 3rd March, 2024 to further cement the excellent relations existing between the two countries.

In a statement issued by its Spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli, the Ministry also said during the visit, discussions will be held at the highest level, on a wide range of bilateral and economic issues.

“The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar (OON), among some other Ministers and top government officials.

“The Ministry is aware of the circulation of a diplomatic correspondence on the social media and wishes to state that it will not comment on leaks,” Omayuli said.

Commenting on the note verbale, a source within the diplomatic community, said there was nothing strange about the note verbale.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “In international engagements, there are rules that need to be followed. If you say you want to host a business forum, both chambers of commerce have to organise it.

“What Qatar is saying is that we did not have any agreement with them. So, there is nothing strange about the Memo.”