Politics
THE Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, made this known while reacting to the visa denial of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa by Canada.
Matawalle in a statement by issued by Sunday Iyogun for the Director Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence in Abuja, urged all stakeholders to work collectively to avoid reoccurrence of such incidents.
He said unfortunate event occurred while Musa and members of his delegation were to attend a significant function honoring Nigerian veterans in Canada.
Matawalle expressed profound disappointment regarding the treatment of the Nigerian delegation.
“This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity,” he said.
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.
According to him, 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.(NAN)
15th February, 2025.
C.E.
Tags: BELLO Matawalle
