Canadian officials have come under fire from Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA) for refusing visas to senior Nigerian military figures such as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
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At the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) which took place on Thursday, February 13 at the Shehu Yaradua Centre in Abuja, Ribadu voiced his disapproval.
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Following the Chief of Defense Staff’s revelation that he and his team had been invited to Canada for a war veterans event but that he and roughly half of the delegation had been refused visas the NSA made its statement.
General Musa called the incident disappointing but he also emphasized that it should serve as a reminder to Nigeria to stand strong as a nation and not be dismissed.
He said: “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there. We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing.”
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Ribadu commended Gen. Musa for speaking out about the incident.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” Ribadu said.
The NSA said that despite the disappointment, Nigeria is “peaceful and strong” and must work hard to overcome such challenges.
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