UPDATE: Qatari snub no big deal, says Nigeria’s presidency after second diplomatic mess with Arabian country

Bayo Onanuga, Media aide to President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has brushed off the Qatari snub of a business meeting between it and Nigeria saying the Nigerian president will proceed to the Arabian country on the scheduled visit on 2, March.

He however had a say on how the embarrassing missive from Qatar embassy got leaked to the public.

According to Onanuga, they were leaked by ‘mischief maker’s.

“The leaked diplomatic paper by mischief makers about an investment forum is not in any way a snub on President Tinubu by the Qatari government.

“The Note Verbale is about a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum to be held on the margins of President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit.

“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,” he said.

Twice in less than a year, Qatar has shown Nigeria that diplomacy is serious business.

In August last year, the Qatari government were forced to debunk a claim by Nigeria that President Tinubu had smoothened relations between Emirate Airlines and the Nigeria aviation.

It was thoroughly embarrassing.

More like catching the Nigeria president in a big lie.

Ahead of President’s visit to Qatar on 2, March, a proposed Business and Investment Forum (BIF) was supposed to hold on the margins of the visit.

But the Qataris say that no agreement on the proposal was signed.

They also added that the minister of commerce will be traveling within the period.

In the official missive leaked on Saturday, the Arabian country turned down a scheduled meeting proposed by Nigeria.

“Qatar apologizes that it will not be able to hold a Business and Investment Forum as proposed by the Nigerian side,” the embassy in Nigeria said.

Explaining further, the embassy said:
“Unfortunately, there is no 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”, the Nigerians were told.

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