Professor Mahmood Yakubu, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), recently received a warm welcome in Doha, Qatar, as he arrived in the country to officially assume duties as Nigeria’s ambassador. Professor Yakubu is one of the career and non-career diplomats recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take up diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria’s missions abroad.
On arrival at Hamad International Airport, the former INEC chairman was received by Director of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro.
Also on ground to welcome Professor Yakubu were 13 African ambassadors accredited to Qatar, Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Dr. Philip Mshelbila, and President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Qatar Michael Ndukaihe Ihekwaba.
Ambassador of Republic of Guinea and current President of the Bureau of the African Group of Ambassadors to Qatar HE Thierno Abdoulaye Sow introduced other African ambassadors to the newly appointed Nigerian diplomat.
With the growing number of Nigerians working and living in Qatar, members of the community in the country have high expectations of Prof. Yakubu to address major challenges they face, particularly easy and prompt access to travel passport processing, consular services, among others.
Welcoming the new envoy, President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Qatar Michael Ndukaihe Ihekwaba said, “We are delighted to receive His Excellency Professor Mahmood Yakubu to the State of Qatar and look forward to working closely with the Nigerian Embassy under his leadership to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar.
“The Executive Council of NIDO-Qatar assures His Excellency of our unwavering support and cooperation in advancing initiatives that promote the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora and enhance Nigeria’s image and interests within our host country. We wish him a successful and impactful diplomatic tenure and pray that his assignment will bring greater opportunities and lasting benefits to both nations.”
