National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has harshly criticized the Canadian government’s decision to deny visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other top military officers. Speaking at the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, Ribadu condemned the visa refusal as “disrespectful,” boldly stating that Canada “can go to hell.”
The criticism follows General Musa’s account of his delegation being barred from entering Canada for an official engagement. Gen Musa revealed that they were invited to an event honoring war veterans, yet faced visa issues that left part of the team unable to attend.
Musa expressed disappointment over the situation, highlighting that while some members of the team were granted visas, others were not. He referred to the incident as a wake-up call for Nigeria to strengthen its sovereignty, emphasizing the nation’s need to depend on itself.
“This is a reminder that we must stand on our own and refuse to be taken for granted,” Musa stated. In response to this diplomatic setback, Ribadu praised the Chief of Defence Staff for his transparency regarding the visa denial and urged Nigeria to focus on building its strength rather than seeking validation from foreign powers.
“We must work hard to make Nigeria work. It is time to fix our country,” Ribadu affirmed, reinforcing the importance of national unity and resilience in the face of international challenges.
