President Bola Tinubu on Saturday emphasized the importance of documenting a nation’s history, cultural evolution, and challenges correctly. This he asserted on his two-day working visit to Qatar during a tour of the West Asia country’s National Museum. Touring the expansive 39,994 square meter edifice, which is centered 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. While fielding questions from journalists afterward, he said, “It is great to document culture from the beginning of history, the culture of civilization, collaborations, challenges, and perseverance of leadership.”
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. 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. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state said the foundation was currently building orphanages, houses, and schools in Maiduguri, the state capital, and other parts of the north. He explained, “Their main objective is to assist displaced and downtrodden communities in Nigeria. We want to give our appreciation to the Qatar Charity Foundation. We believe that with the presence of the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this organization will provide more support to the government of Nigeria both at the national and sub-national levels. The main objective of the foundation is geared towards enhancing education, science, and research in community development.”
