- By Femi Alabi
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday said it is important to document culture from the beginning of history, the culture of civilisation, collaborations, challenges and perseverance of leadership.
Tinubu made the assertion when he commenced his two-day working visit to Qatar with a tour of its National Museum.
Touring the expansive 39,994 square meter edifice, which is centred around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani’s original palace, the President appreciated the cultural significance of documenting the nation’s heritage, expressing admiration for the Museum.
He was conducted around the structure by the CEO of Qatar Museums, Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi.
On replicating the same in Nigeria, the President said, “We still have a long way to go…I am glad I am here. It is a great honour; you learn every day of your life.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, hinted at plans to replicate similar projects in Nigeria, adding value to the creative industry.
“This is absolutely amazing because you really do get inspiration. We have a plan to do a national museum and a number of museums all over Nigeria and across some of our missions abroad.
“So, this has been a great inspiration and I can see where we can tap into their wealth of knowledge of what they have done here in Qatar and be able to add value to the arts, culture and creative economy within Nigeria,” said Musawa.
President Tinubu and his entourage were also conducted around several sections where they viewed the early Hijazi Quran fragments, the Sitara of the Holy Kaaba, the Moroccan arch, a copy of al-Sufi’s treatise on the fixed stars, the Abbasid blue-and-white bowl, the Seljuq stucco panel, the Doha Hind and the post-Islamic Spanish ceiling.
The President also visited the Qatari Foundation, which currently contributes humanitarian aid to Nigeria’s Northeast.
Hours before the museum tour, Tinubu met ministers and top government officials to fashion out modalities for engaging with the host.
In attendance were Ministers of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Ibrahim; and Health and Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Ali Pate.
President Tinubu is today (Sunday) expected to witness the signing of at least eight agreements between Nigeria and the Qatari government.