The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has stated that the Federal Government must adopt a “firm and assertive” approach following Canada’s refusal to grant visas to the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, and other senior military officers.
The delegation was scheduled to attend an event in Canada honoring Nigerian veterans, but their visa applications were rejected, which Matawalle described as a significant affront to Nigeria’s dignity.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu condemned the Canadian government’s decision on Thursday.
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Despite widespread criticism, Canada has yet to provide an official statement on the matter, citing privacy concerns.
In a statement released on Friday, Matawalle expressed his disappointment, calling the visa denial a serious attack on Nigeria’s national dignity and integrity.
He stressed that the incident was more than just a bureaucratic mistake, and emphasized that the country should not tolerate such disrespect on the international stage.
The visa refusal, which prevented the delegation from attending an event honoring Nigerian veterans, was especially significant.
Matawalle warned that this incident could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s relationship with Canada.
The minister urged an immediate and thorough investigation into the reasons for the visa denials and called for Nigeria to take strong diplomatic action.
He emphasized that the government must not remain passive in the face of such disrespect, and that if no satisfactory explanation is given, an appropriate response must follow.
Matawalle also raised concerns about the broader implications of how Nigerian military officials and government representatives are treated internationally.
While the exact reasons for the visa rejection remain unclear, he stressed that the matter should not be dismissed.
The incident comes amid ongoing discussions about diplomatic and security cooperation between Nigeria and Canada.
Matawalle warned that failure to address the issue could damage bilateral relations.
He concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to preserving its dignity and global standing, urging all stakeholders to take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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