- Safiu Kehinde
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has described Canada’s rejection of Nigerian military chiefs’ visa application as an affront to the nation’s dignity and integrity.
Matawalle stated this while reacting to the visa denial of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, other senior military officers by the Canadian embassy.
The Defense Minister, in a statement by issued by Sunday Iyogun for the Director Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence in Abuja, expressed profound disappointment regarding the treatment of the Nigerian delegation.
He said unfortunate event occurred while Musa and members of his delegation were to attend a significant function honoring Nigerian veterans in Canada.
“This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity,” he said.
Matawalle urged all stakeholders to work collectively to avoid reoccurrence of such incidents.
The minister called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the reasons behind the visa denial, asserting that Nigeria must respond decisively to uphold its reputation as a key player in global affairs.
According to him, Nigeria must not remain passive in the face of such disrespect.
”It is imperative that the Nigerian government takes a firm diplomatic stance.
“If no satisfactory explanation is provided, we must be prepared to respond appropriately and assertively,” he added.
He maintained that the specific reasons for the visa refusals remain unclear, adding that the incident underscored the persistent bureaucratic and political challenges that Nigerian officials encounter in international engagements.