- Ex-Vice President Once Denied A Visa…
By Abiola Olawale
Fresh details have emerged on the possible reasons some Nigerian military chiefs were denied visas by the Canadian Embassy.
The New Diplomat reports that the situation became public knowledge after Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa detailed an experience in which he and several senior military officers were denied entry into Canada while attempting to participate in an official engagement.
The CDS explained that the delegation had been invited to an event to honour war veterans but was left in limbo after the embassy denied visas to some of its members.
He said: “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honour our veterans—those injured in battle. We were invited along with our team, but while half of us got visas, the other half was denied. It’s very disappointing.
“This is a reminder that we must stand on our own, stand strong as a nation, and refuse to be taken for granted.”
Shedding more light on the situation, a federal government source who spoke on the condition of anonymity cited diplomatic blunders by the federal government during the application process.
According to the top diplomat, the Canadian Embassy was simply following their standard visa processing procedures and since these officers didn’t adhere to the process “ they had to face their fate.”
According to the diplomat, in normal situation, there ought to be a note verbale from the Nigerian ministry of foreign Affairs in Abuja, listing the officers traveling and dispatched to the Canadian Embassy, since its official trip.
“ That puts the Embassy officials at ease…since its official trip and the CDS and service chiefs are top FG officials.”
He added: “ Even the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa can also send a Note Verbale to the host Ministry of foreign affairs, listing the officers coming…. You don’t just apply when you are at that level. Every country protects their security and sovereignty.”
According to the diplomat, the absence of a Note Verbale from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the reason for the visas denial.
A Note Verbale is a diplomatic note that often accompanies visa applications for high-ranking officials to confirm the official nature of the visit and facilitate visa processing.
The source said the Canadian Embassy denied the visas of the military chiefs because of a “diplomatic error” on the part of the desk officers at the ministry of foreign affairs of Nigeria, handling the visa applications, as they did not include the necessary Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is required for such high-ranking officials’ travel.
The source stated: “There was a diplomatic error on the part of desk officers who handled the CDS and others’ visa applications.
“There was no Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contrary to the existing protocol for any trip by high-ranking government officials.
“Since those going for the trip are top military chiefs.
“At this level, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ought to attach a Note Verbale indicating that the trip was genuine without security implications.
“The Federal Government is discussing with Canadian Embassy officials to salvage the situation.
“All I can tell you is that there is no diplomatic issue with Canada. We are only trying to get a few things right.”
The top diplomat added that a former Nigerian Vice President was once denied a visa to a North American country because of similar reasons as advanced above.
The source added that the Nigerian Embassy in that country had to step in with a Note Verbale and the situation was corrected.
