In what is a major diplomatic snub, Canada has denied Nigeria\u2019s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, and some other senior military officers visas for an official engagement.<\/p>\n
Speaking earlier today, Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja, National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, expressed his displeasure over the incident, stating that Canada \u201ccan go to hell.\u201d<\/p>\n
The officials were due to attend an event in Canada honouring war veterans, but only a portion of the delegation was granted visas, leading to strong reactions from Nigerian authorities.<\/p>\n
Ribadu and Musa spoke on Thursday at the inaugural annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja.<\/p>\n
The event, attended by security experts and government officials, focused on national security challenges and international cooperation.<\/p>\n
Addressing the visa denial, Ribadu expressed frustration, describing it as disrespectful, while Musa emphasised the need for Nigeria to assert itself on the global stage and not be taken for granted.<\/p>\n
Musa recounted the experience, noting that he and his team had been invited to the veterans\u2019 event but faced an unexpected setback when some members of the delegation were denied entry. He described the situation as disappointing but saw it as a reminder for Nigeria to strengthen its independence and resilience.<\/p>\n
He stated, \u201cEvery disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were supposed to be there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were invited with our team. Half of us have gone, and half have been denied. It\u2019s very disappointing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a clear reminder that the country must stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and should no longer be taken for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ribadu, in his remarks, reinforced the importance of making Nigeria self-sufficient, citing the incident as further motivation to work towards national progress.<\/p>\n
He commended Musa for his leadership in tackling security challenges, stressing the need for continued collaboration among security agencies.<\/p>\n
The NSA said, \u201cThank you for having the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though it\u2019s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong, and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country.<\/p>\n
\u201cYet, this is another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria thrive. I commend you for providing purposeful leadership in the fight against insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The visa denial raises questions about Canada\u2019s stance on Nigerian military officials and its broader diplomatic relationship with Nigeria. While the specific reasons for the refusal remain unclear, the incident has highlighted the bureaucratic and political hurdles Nigerian officials face in international engagements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In what is a major diplomatic snub, Canada has denied Nigeria\u2019s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, and some other senior military officers visas for an official engagement.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":86910,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n