By Our Reporter
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has described Canada’s refusal to grant visas to Nigerian officials as a “blessing in disguise.”
Musa made the statement on Thursday during the inaugural annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja, where he attended alongside the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Musa, who was among the senior military officials invited to attend the Invictus Games in Canada — a sporting event designed to honor war veterans — expressed disappointment over the Canadian embassy’s decision to deny him and other members of his delegation visas.
Although the refusal left a portion of the Nigerian team unable to attend the event, the CDS viewed the situation as a wake-up call for the nation.
“Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honor our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were supposed to be there. We were invited with our team. Half of us have gone, and half have been denied. It isn’t very pleasant,” Musa said.
He emphasized that the denial was a clear reminder for Nigeria to focus on strengthening its independence and resilience. “It’s a clear reminder that the country must stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and should no longer be taken for granted,” he added.
The visa denial has sparked strong reactions from Nigerian authorities, raising questions about the diplomatic relationship between the two nations. Despite no clear reasons being provided for the denial, Musa’s remarks suggest that Nigeria should not rely solely on foreign support in times of need.