BY: ABDULLAHI ALHASSAN, KADUNA
The West Africa Youth Congress (WAYC) has urged the federal government of Nigerian to immediately suspend the activities of the Canadian embassy following the disrespectful treatment of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other senior military officers.
In a Press statement signed and made available to newsmen by Ambassador. Mohammed Ahmed Marafa said “It has come to our attention that Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, who also serves as the Defence Chief of the entire West African region, was denied a visa along with some of his top military officers by the Canadian embassy.
According to the group, this blatant act of disrespect and embarrassment should not be tolerated or ignored by the Nigerian Government.
The statement added that “It is particularly unfortunate that the Canadian government would extend an invitation to such a highly respected individual like the CDS and his team to attend an official event honoring war veterans, only to deny them the necessary visas by there embassy. This shows a significant level of disregard for the nation’s military leadership.
WAYC hereby gives the Canadian embassy three weeks to issue a formal apology for their actions.
“Should the embassy fail to do so, we will mobilize protests to express our discontent over the humiliation inflicted on our senior military officers,” added the statement.
It urged the Nigerian Government to suspend the operations of the Canadian embassy in Nigeria until the Canadian government apologizes for this shameful incident.
The group also commended the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR and his team for the maturity and restraint they have displayed throughout this unfortunate episode.
Lastly, it added that “their professionalism has prevented what could have otherwise escalated into a larger diplomatic issue.”