Lamido Knocks NSA Ribadu For Speaking On Canadian Visa Refusal To CDS
By Juliet Vincent
The former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido has faulted the undiplomatic remarks made by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu over the denial of Visa to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and others by the Canadian authorities.
Lamido, a one-time Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a post on his Facebook page on Thursday, warned that, “The NSA should not and must not appropriate the duties of the Minister of Foreign Affairs!”.
The post reads, “The NSA and his Principal must realize that they represent and project our collective image as a Sovereign Nation!
“The last two years have exposed our rookie management in navigating our foreign relationships on the Reginal and Global stage with ECOWAS and now with Canada. The whole blunder could have been avoided if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were allowed to play their role as the key Ministry in guiding our conduct on the global stage.
“The recent outbursts by the NSA on Canada for denying visas to our military personnel could have been handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who would have summoned the Canadian High Commissioner if need be, to tongue lash him for his affront and threaten him with appropriate consequences.
“The NSA’s unnecessary out bursts have unwittingly brought to the public domain the embarrassing humiliation meted on Nigeria by the Canadian High Commission.
“Much as I tried to suppress the urge not to put my feelings and concern on post, the love and the pride of my country have compelled me to react to the action of a novice, towing with our Sovereign image,” Lamido said.
It could be recalled that Ribadu was quoted in the media while speaking at an occasion allegedly saying that, ‘Canada can go to Hell’ for refusing to issue Visas to the CDS and others who were billed to travel to the country recently.
