Bello Matawalle,Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, has reiterates that Nigeria need to give decisive response after the Canadian High Commission denied the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and other key military officers visas to attend an event to honour war veterans.
Iyogun Sunday, in a recent statement for the ministry’s director of information and public relations, said Matawalle described the High Commission’s action as disappointing, embarrassing, and a “serious affront to our national dignity and integrity.”
In the statement, Iyogun said Matawalle has, in response to the diplomatic incident, urged “Nigeria to assert its position on the global stage” and stated that the High Commission’s action could jeopardise bilateral relations between both countries.
He said: “This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity. We cannot allow our country to be treated with such disregard and levity on the international stage.”
Matawalle called for an urgent and thorough investigation into the reasons behind the visa denial and added that Nigeria must respond decisively to uphold its reputation as a top player in global affairs.
He said: “We 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.
“The denial of visas raises significant concerns regarding Canada’s treatment of Nigerian military officials and the overall state of diplomatic relations between the two nations. While the specific reasons for the visa refusals remain unclear, this incident underscores the persistent bureaucratic and political challenges that Nigerian officials encounter in international engagements.”
Matawalle reaffirmed that Nigeria is committed to maintaining its dignity and respect at the international stage and urged stakeholders to work together to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
