President Bola Tinubu on Sunday in Doha said Nigerian youths are worth every investment as they are educated, reliable and proactive.
He argued that a few bad eggs cannot be a yardstick for gauging the capacity of the majority who, he said, are “ready to be unleashed for the mutual benefit of both nations.”
Tinubu said these when he and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, witnessed the signing of seven landmark agreements between both nations after closed-door talks at the Presidential Palace in Doha.
The seven agreements signed are a cooperation agreement in the field of education; regulation of employment of workers with the Government of Qatar; establishment of a joint business council between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture; 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, 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 and Abdullah bin Khalaf bin Hattab Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed Sunday titled ‘President Tinubu welcomes multi-sectoral agreements with Qatar: Set to receive Qatar’s investment team in Abuja.’
Before the signing ceremony, 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.
Tinubu said, “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 the 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.”
He commended the Qatari government for its developmental mileage saying “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.”
Nonetheless, he insisted that “There is nowhere in the world where you will find return on investment at the level of what you will see in Nigeria,” adding that “A massive market of over 200 million skilled Nigerians, always industrious and ready to work.”
The President admitted that although Nigeria faces some short-term turbulence at the moment, its current government 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 affirmed.
PUNCH