Why Canada refused CDS, others Visa
By Samuel Ogunsona
Fresh facts have linked diplomatic error to the denial of Canadian Visa to top Nigerian officials including the Chief of Defense Staff, (CDS)
The Canadian Embassy had Visa to top Military officers including the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.
Sources told The Nation that the denial was due to the lack of Note Verbale a Diplomatic note usually from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to waive existing protocol.
The Nation quoted the source as saying that “There was a diplomatic error on the part of desk officers who handled the CDS and others’ visa applications.
“There was no Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contrary to existing protocol for any trip by high-ranking government officials.
The source further said that
“Since, those going for the trip are top military chiefs adding that at this level, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ought to attach a Note Verbale indicating that the trip was genuine without security implications.”
It added that the Federal Government is discussing with Canadian Embassy officials to salvage the situation.
“All I can tell you is that there is no diplomatic issue with Canada. We are only trying to get a few things right,”the source was quoted as saying.
A visibly angry National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu told the Canadian to “go to hell.”
He spoke at the annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja.
Gen. Musa said the Canadian Government denied its team which was attending an historical war veterans summit in Canada.
He said “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday (Wednesday), I was meant to be in Canada.
“There’s an event to honour our veterans, those injured during battles, and we were meant to be there.
“We were invited with our team. Half of the team have gone and the other half have been denied. It’s very disappointing,” Musa said.
The NSA said: “Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell.
“Even though it’s painful, it’s disrespectful, but we are peaceful and strong and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country. Yet, this is another reason we work hard to make Nigeria work.”
