In a concerning diplomatic incident, the Canadian Embassy has denied visa applications from Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military officials. The denial has sparked outrage from the Nigerian government, with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, strongly condemning the decision.
According to sources, the visa applications were submitted without the required Note Verbale (diplomatic note) from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a procedural oversight that led to the denial. The affected officers were scheduled to attend a war veterans’ event in Canada, but only half of the delegation was granted entry.
Addressing the issue, Gen. Musa expressed his disappointment, stating, “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those injured during battles, and we were meant to be there.”
NSA Ribadu, speaking at the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) lecture in Abuja, did not mince words in his criticism of Canada’s decision. He boldly stated, “Canada can go to hell,” emphasizing the disrespect shown towards Nigeria’s military leadership.
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode also weighed in, hailing Ribadu’s stance and calling for Nigeria to stand firm against such diplomatic disrespect. He stated, “The days of foreign governments kicking us in the teeth and getting away with it are long over.”
The Federal Government has stepped in to address the situation, engaging in discussions with Canadian Embassy officials to resolve the matter. A government source confirmed that this is a procedural issue rather than a diplomatic row, and efforts are underway to rectify the oversight.
This incident has once again highlighted the importance of adhering to established diplomatic protocols, especially when it comes to high-ranking government officials’ international travel. As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of global diplomacy, the government’s commitment to asserting the country’s dignity and respect on the international stage is evident.
Stay tuned to Newspot Nigeria for further updates on this developing story.
