Nigeria and Qatar are set to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries by way of promoting Nigerian culture in the Middle-East country.
A statement issued on Monday by the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar’s capital Doha, said that, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar, Yakubu Ahmed, disclosed this while calling for the strengthening of cultural partnership between the two countries through the Katara Cultural Foundation.
It said Ambassador Yakubu Ahmed made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the office of the General Manager/Chairman, Kiahf Committee of Katara Cultural Foundation, Prof. Khalid Sulaiti, in Doha.
The statement said Ambassador explained to his Qatari host that the purpose of his visit was to share with him, the rich cultural diversity of Nigeria, stressing that such partnership would promote Nigerian culture in Qatar.
Ahmed said that Nigeria had over 250 distinct ethnic groups with different linguistic and cultural orientations, whose rich cultures were expressed through several annual traditional festivals, which feature various carnivals, boat rides, fishing, dances, songs, horse riding, and masquerades, among others.
He, therefore, expressed the willingness of the Nigerian Embassy to partner with the Katara Foundation in promoting Nigerian culture in Qatar.
The Ambassador also stressed that the Nigerian Embassy would explore the possibilities of inviting interested public and private artists and art galleries in Nigeria to bring their talents and wares to Doha for some cultural events and exhibitions in the Katara Cultural Village.
Responding to the Ambassador’s remarks, Prof. Sulait welcomed the idea, and suggested that the Nigerian Embassy should utilise Katara facilities at regular intervals to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage via series of exhibitions, especially after the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022,.
He also pledged his total support for any of such events that the Embassy would be willing to organise.
The General Manager explained that the major buildings in the Cultural Village included Katara Amphitheatre, art halls and galleries, drama theatre, masjids, opera house, hotels, restaurants and gardens.
He further explained that the amphitheatre was completed in 2008 and was officially opened on 11th December, 2001, adding that it covers 3,275 sqm and can accommodate 5,000 spectators.
Prof Sulait added that Katara used numerous halls and galleries to host various conferences, seminars, symposiums and exhibitions.
He said that it was also a place to experience the cultures of other countries through such events as the exhibitions of cultural arts and artifacts.
Established on one million square metres of land distributed into about 50 buildings constructed for various cultural expressions and ceremonies, the Cultural Village has about 2 kilometers of coastal line for outdoor sea front cultural events and leisure.
The statement added that the Nigerian envoy was taken on a guided tour of the iconic Katara Cultural Village, which is regarded as the cultural melting point of Qatar that attracts millions of visitors to the country.
