In a surprising turn of events, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and over 70 senior military officers were denied visas by the Canadian Embassy. The delegation was slated to attend the Invictus Winter Games, but the visa denial has sparked a heated debate and raised several questions about the rationale behind sending such a large military contingent to a winter sports event, especially given Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, was among the most vocal critics of the decision to send the military delegation. In a series of posts on his X (formerly Twitter) page, Odinkalu expressed his disappointment and questioned the purpose and planning behind the trip.
“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 sports?” he queried. Odinkalu also criticized the government’s response to the visa denial, stating, “Instead of admitting a serious blunder and apologizing, we have a disgraceful lineup of senior cabinet members making the government look more ridiculous.”
Odinkalu further raised concerns about the lack of coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in applying for the visas, suggesting that proper diplomatic channels were not followed. He called for an apology from the Nigerian government and an investigation into the embarrassing situation.
The debate has garnered mixed reactions from the public and experts alike. Some have sided with Odinkalu, agreeing that the large delegation was unnecessary and poorly planned:
- @Leacomzy: “This result of this experiment isn’t true, even an old and rickety single stroke engine will not burn up 1 litre of fuel in 30 minutes.”
- @jaey_money: “Illiteracy be messing this guy up! Settlement wey no for pass 1m he think say gara gara go solve am.”
- @effedeborah: “Na Portable dey use him own hands do himself.”
Others have defended the decision, suggesting that participation in international events like the Invictus Games is important for morale and international relations. However, the overwhelming sentiment seems to be one of frustration and confusion about the necessity and execution of the trip.
As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian government will address the situation and whether any changes will be made to improve the planning and coordination of such international engagements in the future.
