- …Urges Stronger Nigerian Assertiveness
The Centre for Ethical Conduct, Orientation, and Empowerment (CECOE) has strongly condemned the Canadian government’s decision to deny visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officials.
It described the move as a blatant act of diplomatic disrespect and a signal of Canada’s disregard for Nigeria’s sovereignty and military leadership.
Recall the Nigerian officials were due to attend a high-level event in Canada focused on security cooperation and honoring war veterans, but according to the CDS, only a portion of the delegation received visas.
CECOE, in a strongly worded statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. David Owah on Thursday, denounced the decision as “unjustifiable, insensitive, and an affront to Nigeria’s dignity on the global stage.”
“This action by the Canadian government, is not just an administrative oversight, it is a clear dismissal of Nigeria’s importance in global security affairs. It raises troubling questions about Canada’s stance toward our military leadership and the overall diplomatic relationship between our two nations. We find this completely unacceptable.”
The group, further aligned with General Musa’s call for Nigeria to assert itself more forcefully in international affairs and avoid being treated as an afterthought. They also backed the remarks of National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who stressed the need for Nigeria to work toward greater self-sufficiency to prevent undue reliance on foreign cooperation.
While the exact reasons for the visa refusals remain unclear, CECOE emphasized that this incident highlights the bureaucratic and political barriers Nigerian officials often face in international engagements, urging the Nigerian government to take decisive action, ensuring that such disrespect is not tolerated in future diplomatic dealings.
“As a nation, we must demand respect and reciprocity in our international partnerships. Nigeria cannot afford to be treated with such disregard. The government must take this as an opportunity to strengthen our position and ensure our leaders are never subjected to such indignities again.
“Additionally, we are calling on the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to act upon this blatant disrespect and disregard. He should immediately engage with Canadian authorities to seek an explanation for the visa denials and to implement measures that ensure, Nigerian officials are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve in all international engagements.” They added.
The statement concluded with a call for Canada to provide immediate clarifications on its decision while urging Nigerian authorities to push back against any form of diplomatic discrimination against the country’s officials.
