Nigeria Protests Canada’s Visa Denial to Military Officials
The Nigerian government condemned Canada for denying visas to senior military officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Christopher Musa. The denial left half of Musa’s delegation unable to attend a significant event in Canada. Officials described the situation as disrespectful and called for better diplomatic communication.
The Nigerian government has raised concerns over Canada denying visas to senior military officials, including military chief Gen Christopher Musa. Half of his delegation was unable to travel for an official event in Canada due to insufficient documentation. The Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, labeled this action as disrespectful towards Nigeria and its officials.
The Canadian High Commission acknowledged the situation but refrained from providing details for privacy reasons. This incident follows Canada’s new visa regulations, which empower immigration officials to deny temporary resident permits under specific conditions aimed at enhancing border security. Gen Musa expressed disappointment at missing an event honoring war veterans, emphasizing that the incident signifies a need for Nigeria to assert its sovereignty.
Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, also expressed discontent, characterizing Canada’s move as disrespectful. He stated that this situation further motivates the need to enhance Nigeria’s governance. In a subsequent interview, Minister Tunji-Ojo deemed the incident unjustifiable, asserting that diplomatic routes should have been pursued to resolve any issues. He expressed concern about the implications for ordinary Nigerians, though he is optimistic about a diplomatic resolution.
In summary, the Nigerian government has strongly criticized Canada’s decision to deny visas to its military officials, viewing it as a breach of diplomatic respect. The incident highlights broader implications for Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and the importance of national integrity. Officials hope to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels to reaffirm mutual respect between the nations.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
