They can go to hell: NSA Ribadu slams Canada over visa denial to Military Chiefs

They can go to hell: NSA Ribadu slams Canada over visa denial to Military Chiefs

The Canadian government’s decision to refuse visas to General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, and other high-ranking military personnel has been sharply criticized by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Nigerian officials reacted harshly when Canadian authorities only issued visas to a portion of the Nigerian group, despite the fact that the officials were supposed to attend a major event in Canada honoring war veterans.

At the first annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja on Thursday, Ribadu and Musa expressed their dissatisfaction.

The event, which brought together security experts and government leaders, focused on pressing national security challenges and the importance of international collaboration.

Expressing his discontent, Ribadu labeled the visa denial as “disrespectful,” underlining Nigeria’s diplomatic concerns. Meanwhile, CDS Musa spoke candidly about the impact of the decision, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to assert its global standing.

“This incident serves as a stark reminder that Nigeria must not be taken for granted on the world stage,” he remarked.

Musa recounted the disheartening experience, explaining how he and his team were invited to the veterans’ event, only to face the unexpected setback of some delegation members being denied entry.

Despite the disappointment, he framed the situation as an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its national resilience and independence, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a strong and respected position globally.

He stated, “Every 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.

“We were invited with our team. Half of us have gone, and half have been denied. It’s very disappointing.

“It’s a clear reminder that the country must stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and should no longer be taken for granted.”

In his speech, Ribadu emphasized the significance of Nigeria becoming self-sufficient and used the occurrence as additional inspiration to strive for the country’s advancement.

He emphasized the necessity of ongoing cooperation among security services and praised Musa for his leadership in addressing security issues.

The NSA said, “Thank you for having the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell.

“Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong, and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country.

“Yet, this is another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria thrive. I commend you for providing purposeful leadership in the fight against insecurity.”