In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, senior Nigerian government officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other top military officers, applied for visas to attend the Invictus Winter Games in Canada. The delegation, comprising over 70 officials, was denied visas by the Canadian Embassy, leading to a heated exchange between Nigerian officials and the Canadian High Commission.
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, who lambasted the Nigerian officials for their actions. Odinkalu questioned the rationale behind sending such a large delegation to a winter games event in Canada, a country with a climate vastly different from Nigeria's tropical environment. He also raised concerns about the timing of the trip, given Nigeria's ongoing economic crisis and severe insecurity.
"How does anyone justify a delegation of over 70 officers led by the CDS to the Invictus Winter Games? When did Nigeria start doing winter?!" Odinkalu remarked in a series of posts on his X page. He further criticized the officials for applying for visas without the knowledge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calling the move "foolish and irresponsible."
Odinkalu also took issue with the government's response to the visa denials, describing it as "disgraceful." Instead of acknowledging the mistake and apologizing, senior cabinet members, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, have chosen to lash out at the Canadian High Commission. "Instead of abusing the Canadian High Commission, the Nigerian government owes them an apology," Odinkalu stated. He called for an investigation into the matter and consequences for those responsible for the embarrassment.
It would be recalled that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu expressed his anger over the visa denials during the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja. Ribadu commended the CDS for his candor in revealing the visa denials and delivered a pointed response: "Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell."
The incident has raised questions about the priorities of Nigerian government officials, particularly in the context of the country's economic challenges. Critics argue that the resources and attention devoted to such a large delegation could have been better utilized to address pressing domestic issues. The visa denials have also highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in government actions, especially when it comes to international engagements.
As the controversy continues to unfold, many Nigerians are calling for a reevaluation of the government's priorities and a more responsible approach to managing the country's resources and international relations.
