The Nigerian military team, including Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, was denied visas by Canada for the Invictus Games. Despite this, Nigeria won medals, and the DHQ urged public support for the armed forces.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has explained how the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and other members of the Nigerian military team were denied visas by Canadian authorities for the Invictus Games in Vancouver.
In a statement issued on Monday, Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, revealed that the Nigerian military had received an invitation to participate in the Games. The team, consisting of 3 officers, 21 players, and a physiotherapist, was looking forward to the event as the only African nation invited. The Invictus Games Foundation had arranged for the team’s accommodation and meals, as it did for all participating nations.
However, despite their preparations, only 14 team members were granted visas, excluding the team leader, captain, and physiotherapist. Sadly, seven athletes with the potential to excel were denied visas and could not participate in the Games.
Despite this setback, Nigeria’s team still achieved remarkable success, earning gold, silver, and bronze medals and proudly representing Nigeria and Africa on the global stage. The statement also noted that the involvement of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, would have provided additional morale and mental strength for the team.
The DHQ highlighted General Musa’s ongoing efforts to boost the welfare of military personnel, including the construction of the first Invictus Foundation Centre in Africa, which will support the mental health of wounded servicemen and women.
The DHQ urged the public to disregard any malicious allegations and to support the efforts of the armed forces in enhancing national security and caring for those who have sustained injuries in the line of duty.
