The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has blasted Canada officials for denying visa to top Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

Ribadu expressed his disapproval at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), held at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, Feb. 13.

The NSA’s comment came after the Chief of Defence Staff disclosed that he and his team were invited to Canada for an event honouring war veterans, but he and about half of the delegation were denied visas.

General Musa described the incident as “disappointing” but emphasised that it serves as a reminder for Nigeria to “stand strong as a nation” and not be taken for granted.

He said: “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there. We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing.”

Ribadu commended Gen. Musa for speaking out about the incident.

“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to h3ll,” Ribadu said.

The NSA said that despite the disappointment, Nigeria is “peaceful and strong” and must work hard to overcome such challenges.

Ribadu praised Gen. Musa for providing “purposeful leadership” in the war against t£rrorism, b@nditry, and other security thre@ts in the country.

The Nigerian Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to include raids in the North-East in the N4.2 trillion superhighway for the well-being of the people of the zone.

The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje representing Gombe Central Senatorial District on Thursday.

The motion was titled, ‘Federal Government’s Approval of N4.2trillion for Construction of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road and Other Road Projects Nationwide’.

“It is imperative to note that in this laudable project, the North – East has only two projects, that is, Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road in Adamawa State (N11.81 Billion); and Lamido Road in Taraba State (N7.68 Billion), out of the approved sum of N4.2 Trillion Naira.

“Apart from these two road projects in the North – East, there are other very important road networks, which are in bad conditions, such as: the Bauchi – Gombe road; Biu – Gombe road; Potiskum – Gombe road; Darazo – Gombe road; Numan – Jalingo road; Yola – Mubi road; Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama road, Ngorore – Mayo Belwa – Zing – Jalingo; Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye; Biu – Gombi – Maranraba; Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri; and Biu – Damaturu, among others, which desperately require serious reconstruction and rehabilitation.

“The North – East is the only Zone that is not connected to the SUPER HIGHWAY PROJECT, embarked upon by this administration,” Goje said .

He however commended President Tinubu for the Super Highway projects which according to him, are to ensure connectivity by improving road safety with the aim of harnessing the viability of resources that abound across the length and breadth of this country.

The Senate amended Goje’s second prayer from urging the Federal Government to, as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of the listed deplorable roads in the North – East to urging the Federal Government to as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the country .

In contributions to debate on the motion, many of the senators who spoke, commended Goje for the motion but also listed a series of federal roads in their various constituencies begging for urgent attention in terms of rehabilitation and even re-construction .

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola representing Ogun West, in his contribution, however clarified that allocation for the N4.2 trillion Coastal road projects was not done on zonal basis.

“The N4.2 trillion coastal road projects strictly covers the Badagary – Sokoto and Lagos – Calabar Coastal roads .

“For the existing road projects across the country , Mr President has set aside N500billon for continued rehabilitation work without exclusion of any zone”, he said

The President of the Senate, Goodwill Akpabio, in his remarks, said until Nigeria has a serious road map for constant rehabilitation and maintenance of roads across the country, the issue of road deplorability in the country will remain.

The House gave the television station and Abati 24 hours to apologise for their comment on the proposal for the creation of additional 31 states from different regions of the nation.

Addressing members of the Green Chamber under the matters of privilege, Donald Ojogo who represents Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency alleged that the privilege of lawmakers of the House have been breached by Abati and Arise TV.

In a viral video while anchoring one of the television’s programmes, Abati referred to the lawmakers’ proposal to create additional states as “stupid” and “idiotic”.

Reacting over the utterances of the former presidential aide, Ojogo said Abati’s remark is unfortunate, uncultured, and baseless assertion that has undermined the integrity of House.

The lawmaker also described Abati’s remarks as unprofessional and laden with arrogance and ignorance of facts and a betrayal to journalistic ethics.

He said, “Such vulgarity and lack of decorum are not only unacceptable but an affront to this Honourable House and the dignity of its members.
“While this House upholds the principles of freedom of speech and press freedom, we must emphasise that such rights come with responsibilities.

Freedom of speech is not a licence for the dissemination of falsehoods, the distortion of facts, or the promotion of indecency and disrespect in the public sphere,” the lawmaker state