The canadian visa fallout

The media is awash with stories and reactions to the decision of Canadian authority to deny entry visa to 70 military senior officers to attend an event in Canada meant to honour war veterans. While half of the officers got visas, the other half was denied. In their reactions, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo condemned the action by Canadian officials, terming it unjustifiable and “disrespectful” to the West African country while Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, also called it “disrespectful” and added that Canada “can go to hell”. The Minister of State for Defense in his reaction expressed profound disappointment regarding the treatment of the Nigerian delegation, emphasizing that such actions jeopardize the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Canada. He added, “This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity. We cannot allow our country to be treated with such disregard and levity on the international stage,”. I read that there was procedural error in the application with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not in the know of such application. If there was a procedural error, how did the half secure the visa? Maybe there are things we are yet to be told

I have been asking myself the reason(s) for these vituperations by top government officials. Perhaps I need to be educated on strategic importance of this event and the accrued benefits to Nigeria if we attend. Kindly forgive my ignorance if I do not demonstrate enough understanding of the import of this event. Several questions on my mind

1. What damage will be done to Nigeria if our military officers are not present at the event?
2. What do we gain by attending?
3. What will a huge 70 military officers delegation do at the event? Perhaps march past or mount a Guard of Honour or salute the veterans
4. Is this a technical event that will impart skills and additional intelligence that will enable the 70 delegates to fight terrorism, banditry and all sorts of security challenges?
5. Who bears the cost of participation and what is the economic benefit? Even if Canada is bearing the full cost, how sure are we that the 70 will still not go with Estacode from Nigeria?
6. Is this a priority event in the strategic plan of the military for 2025 and what contribution will it make to the performance of the military in 2025?
7. Is any thought given to absence of 70 senior military officers on the country’s fragile security challenge even if they will be away for one day?
8. Is Canada not in a position to determine who and who it gives visa(s) to? Is Canadian Government not responsible and accountable to its people? Should they be sentimental as we do?
9. Why are Nigerian government officials always in a hurry to react to issues even when most do not have all the facts?

Methinks that as a nation and with our precarious economic situation, dwindling revenue, should we not prioritize trips that give us economic benefits and other values? It is time we put an end to frivolities and things that will add nothing to us. This trip is nice for the 70 but of little or no value to us especially at this time when money is scarce and our social sector is groaning under underfunding and military lacking required equipment to fight terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. Let them stay at home and do their work

Yemi Osanyin, a Public Affairs commentator, can be reached on 09120020267

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