By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) has lauded the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu for his courage to rebuke the Canadian High Commission over their unfair treatment to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa.
Eulogising the NSA on his verified X account handle on Thursday, Fani-Kayode said: “At last we now have an NSA that has some balls and that is prepared to stand up to foreigners that treat our people with contempt.
“@NuhuRibadu was right when he said that the Canadian Embassy was being “disrespectful” by not granting visas to some of our military top brass, including the CDS, who were scheduled to attend a formal event in their country.” He also told them to “go to hell!”
He continued: “Proud of you Nuhu! The days of foreign Governments kicking us in the teeth and getting away with it are long over.
“What makes this case worse is that Canada may not even be a sovereign, independent country for much longer if @realDonaldTrump has his way and may end up being the 51st state of America!”
“Imagine a conflicted entity like that which is not sure of its own future treating our senior military officers with contempt.”
“They should not only “go to hell” but they should also go and jump in the lagoon. Nigeria has paid her dues and MUST be treated with respect.”
Precise Post recalls that Canadian embassy reportedly denied the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other army chiefs visas.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), Ribadu said Canada “can go to hell.”
He described the visa snub as “disrespectful,” while reacting to comments earlier made by the CDS, who narrated how he and other top military officers were supposed to be in Canada for an official assignment on Wednesday but were denied visas.
Musa said the Canada event is about honouring war veterans. He, however, noted that the denial is a clear reminder that Nigeria must “stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and should no longer be taken for granted.”
“Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those that were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there,” the CDS said.
“We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing,” he added.
But the NSA could not hide his displeasure after taking the microphone. He commended the CDS for speaking about the incident.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” Ribadu said.
“Even though it’s painful, it’s disrespectful, but we are peaceful and strong and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country. Yet, this is another reason we work hard to make Nigeria work.”
Ribadu also commended Musa for providing “purposeful leadership” in the war against insecurity. He noted that all security agencies are collaborating across many parts of the country.
