Leaked papers on investment forum in Qatar not a snub, says Presidency

-Tinubu expected in Qatar on a state visit in March

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has condemned the “note verbale” memo circulating which gives a wrong impression about the visit of the President to Qatar.

Onanuga said the memo is not in any way a snub on President Bola Tinubu by the Qatari government.

Onanuga who was reacting to the leaked diplomatic paper about an investment forum said it is the work of some “mischief makers” to discredit the president.

Onanuga’s statement was made available to Irohinoodua on Sunday.

He stressed that the “Note verbale” is about a private sector – led Business and Investment Forum to be held on the margins of President Bola Tinubu state visit.

According to him, “The event is being put together by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry where business people from Nigeria will engage their counterparts from Qatar on commercial and investment opportunities available in both countries.

“We note the strong bilateral relationship between our two countries and affirm that the State Visit by President Bola Tinubu to Qatar is on the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness, Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

The presidential aid also stated that Bola Tinubu will be visiting Qatar between March 2 and 3 on a state visit to strengthen the bilateral economic cooperation in both countries.

He said, “The State Visit is particularly aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar.

“President Tinubu is expected to proceed to Qatar on the State Visit as scheduled and during the visit, the Nigerian leader will engage in high-level bilateral discussions with Qatari leader on many important matters, covering the full range of diplomatic and economic issues.

He noted that the circulation on social media about Qatari government snubbing president Tinubu’s visitation is false.

“It is not correct for anyone to insinuate that the Qatari authorities have snubbed the Nigerian leader over a business and investment forum which is tangential to the all-important State Visit and which President Tinubu is slated to attend as a guest.

“President Tinubu and His Highness Al-Thani are both committed to maintaining and building on the existing cordial and special relationship between Nigeria and the State of Qatar” he stated.