Despite the visa setbacks, the Nigerian team achieved remarkable success, securing gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively, showcasing their resilience and exceptional performance on the global stage.
The Invictus Games, which celebrate the achievements of wounded soldiers, saw Nigeria proudly representing the continent as the only African nation invited to the prestigious event.
The Africa Unconquered Foundation, in collaboration with the Defence Headquarters, managed to take 14 members of Team Nigeria out of the original 21 competitors. Unfortunately, this did not include the Director of Sports, the team captain, and the physiotherapist, as their visas didn’t come through in time for the games.
Ruth Simon clinched gold medal in the rowing competition.
The wounded-in-action Nigerian soldiers invited to participate in the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada have won different medals including Gold.
The seventh edition of the games brought together 500 competitors from 23 countries worldwide.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, founded the Games in 2014 for wounded, injured or sick service personnel and veterans.
Despite the visa setbacks, the Nigerian team achieved remarkable success, securing gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively, showcasing their resilience and exceptional performance on the global stage.
The Invictus Games, which celebrate the achievements of wounded soldiers, saw Nigeria proudly representing the continent as the only African nation invited to the prestigious event.
The Africa Unconquered Foundation, in collaboration with the Defence Headquarters, managed to take 14 members of Team Nigeria out of the original 21 competitors. Unfortunately, this did not include the Director of Sports, the team captain, and the physiotherapist, as their visas didn’t come through in time for the games.
Ruth Simon clinched gold medal in the rowing competition.
In the sitting Volleyball game, Nigeria’s team comprising Effiom Antigha, Ameh Thomas, Ijigba Robinson, Salisu Damjuma, Dazzi Ayuba Gosa, Iheanacho Joseph, Yahaya Abdulmudalib, Ifeoma Loveleen Nwagbo, Dimka Gloria clinched silver.
In the swimming and rowing competition, Igube Festus won bronze respectively.
Dimka Gloria secured two bronze in the rowing competition.
Derrick Cobbinah, CEO and Co-founder of the foundation said: “After nine months of intense training, the Invictus Games represent not just a competition but a vital part of our soldiers’ healing journey. We are committed to showcasing their resilience and strength, and we look forward to hosting the Invictus Games in Nigeria hopefully in 2029, where we can celebrate their achievements on home soil.
The Canadian High Commission has remained silent on the refusal to grant a visa to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
In a terse statement, the High Commission cited privacy concerns as the reason for not addressing the issue.
“The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel by senior officials. However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals,” the statement read.
General Musa disclosed that he and several senior military officers were denied visas, leaving some stranded. Expressing disappointment, he described the incident as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to reinforce its sovereignty and avoid being taken for granted by foreign nations.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his reaction, said there was no justification for the denial.
Tunji-Ojo, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, said the action by the Canadian embassy is condemnable and shows a lack of respect for Nigeria.
“Without knowing the full facts, I think even for us it is a policy, the issue of reciprocity as I always say, has to be given due consideration.
“As much as we are not ready to dabble into the sovereignty of other nations, the issue of visas, issue of migration management is a sovereign issue.
“As much as we don’t want to dabble into that, it is not a disrespect to the Chief of Defence Staff, to me, without knowing the facts, it is disrespectful to the country, and it is disrespectful to us as a people. If that can happen to the chief of defence staff, then I am worried for an average Nigerian.”
The Minister said that he was struggling to find justification for the action by Canada, noting that even if there were questions the embassy needed, there were diplomatic back channels in which that could have been done.
He said he was confident the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would take the necessary steps to resolve the issue diplomatically and ensure mutual respect between the two nations.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has condemned the Canadian Embassy’s denial of a visa to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa.
The controversy unfolded when Gen Musa revealed that he and several senior military officers were not granted visa to attend an event in Canada meant to honour war veterans.
While some members of the delegation were granted visas, others were left stranded after their applications were denied.
Musa expressed disappointment, calling the incident a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to strengthen its sovereignty and resist being taken for granted by foreign nations.
Tunji-Ojo, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, said the action by the Canadian embassy is condemnable and shows a lack of respect for Nigeria.
“Without knowing the full facts, I think even for us it is a policy, the issue of reciprocity as I always say, has to be given due consideration.
“As much as we are not ready to dabble into the sovereignty of other nations, the issue of visas, issue of migration management is a sovereign issue.
“As much as we don’t want to dabble into that, it is not a disrespect to the Chief of Defence Staff, to me, without knowing the facts, it is disrespectful to the country, and it is disrespectful to us as a people. If that can happen to the chief of defence staff, then I am worried for an average Nigerian.”
The Minister said that he was struggling to find justification for the action by Canada, noting that even if there are questions the embassy needed, there were diplomatic back channels in which that could have been done.
He said he was confident the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take the necessary steps to resolve the issue diplomatically and ensure mutual respect between the two nations.
President Trump’s tariffs are meeting stiff retaliation from the nation’s largest trading partners, who are imposing their own tariffs on U.S. goods in a trade war that threatens to raise prices on both sides.
Canada and Mexico, the United States’ biggest trading partners, announced plans to hit back against their 25% tariff.
Meanwhile, China vowed to file a legal case against the U.S. at the World Trade Organisation and threatened counter-measures to the 10% tariff Mr. Trump imposed on all Chinese imports.
The tit-for-tat raised concerns that a trade war would force American families to pay high prices for everything from gasoline to groceries, automobiles, electronics and toys. The fallout could also lead to higher inflation, further undermining the president’s campaign promise to lower prices.
Mr. Trump said there could be some short-term pain from the tariffs, which are scheduled to go into effect Tuesday.
He said it was a necessary step because of U.S. trade deficits with Mexico, Canada and China and to force the three nations to do more to address illegal immigration and illicit drugs, especially fentanyl, flowing into the U.S.
He continued: “Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!). But we will Make America Great Again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid.”
Trump’s three targets for tariffs accounted for 41% of U.S. foreign trade as of November 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Mexico was the top trading partner at $776 billion or 15.9%, followed by Canada at $699 billion or 14.3% and China at $532 billion or 10.9%.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the tariffs violated the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that Mr. Trump negotiated in 2000 to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1992.
Trudeau also announced over $100 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. He said it would hurt Canadians but also “have real consequences for you, the American people … at the grocery store, gas at the pump.”
On Sunday, he urged Canadians to “choose products made right here in Canada.”
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman said Canadians are “confused” about why Trump is going after them when they have invested over $1 billion in border security.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday hosted two diplomats during courtesy visits, to enhance international relations.
In a tweet on his X account, Governor Sanwo-Olu first welcomed the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Nigeria, Amb. Christopher Bazivamo, at the Lagos House, Marina.
The governor said the discussions focused on key areas such as trade, investment and cultural exchange.
He said: ‘’These sectors are crucial for strengthening ties between both countries.
“During our meeting, we discussed areas of collaboration, including trade, investment and cultural exchange, which are essential for fostering a mutually-beneficial relationship.”
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Mexico and Canada are sending firefighters to help quell the blaze of the Palisades fire across Northern Los Angeles area.
The deployment of firefighters from U.S. allies occurs after President-elect Donald Trump threatened to increase tariff on goods from the two countries.
Canada and Mexico are the largest trading partners for agriculture and manufacturing industries.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) told the press he was “deeply grateful” for the support of Mexico and Canada.
Meanwhile, outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said “neighbours helping neighbors” as an airplane dropped water on a wildfire.
“Just as our friends and neighbours supported us during our own challenging wildfire season, Team Canada is ready to reciprocate that support,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Canada’s minister of emergency preparedness.
The Palisades fire has destroyed more than 37,000 acres and killed at least 11 people over the last few days. California and LA fire officials have only been able to contain a small amount of the fire as it continues blazing through the county.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Saturday that a team of firefighters has “the courage and heart of Mexico.” Mexico’s civil protection agency said their mission is to “to support the fight” against the wildfires, according to the Washington Post.
Canada has stressed its importance to the United States, shortly after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he would impose high import tariffs on all goods from the neighbouring country as soon as he returns to the White House in January.
“Canada and the United States have one of the strongest and closest relationships, particularly when it comes to trade and border security,” said Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc in a joint statement.
“Canada places the highest priority on border security and the integrity of our shared border,” they added.
The ministers stressed the “balanced and mutually beneficial” relationship between the neighbours: “Canada is essential to U.S. domestic energy supply, and last year 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports originated in Canada.”
The statement also highlighted the cooperation between Canadian and U.S. law enforcement “to disrupt the scourge of the fentanyl coming from China and other countries.”
“We will of course continue to discuss these issues with the incoming administration,” the ministers added.
However, they did not specifically mentioning Trump’s announcement from a couple of hours earlier.
Trump said on Truth Social, the social media platform he co-founded, that he would sign an executive order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on products coming into the U.S. from Mexico and Canada, justifying the move on the grounds of immigrants bringing crime and drugs with them across these two borders into the U.S.
Canada has ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) – a study permit process that allowed international students to apply to various educational institutions in the country.
This was a “fast track” option where a study permit was received within 20 calendar days if eligibility requirements were met, a report by DailyAusaf.
“Prospective students are invited to apply through the Regular Study Permit, which accepts Guaranteed Investment Certificates as proof of financial support,” the Canadian government said in a statement Friday. ”
SDS was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing to eligible post-secondary students.
SDS was eventually opened to legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. Prospective university students from Nigeria had a similar process with Nigeria Student Express.
It added that the North American country’s program aims to “enhance integrity, address student vulnerabilities, and ensure equitable access to the application process while promoting a positive educational experience for all.” ”
To fulfill this commitment, the government on November 8 called off the actions of the SDS and the Nigeria Student Express.
But he added that Canada will continue to welcome international students from around the world.
Further, it added that SDS and NSE applications received before 2 PM on November 8, 2024 will be processed under such stream. “Study permit applications submitted at or after this time will be processed under the regular study permit stream.”
The change “will not adversely affect eligibility” for those wishing to apply for a study permit from a country where SDS or NSE measures are offered, the statement said.
“All students, regardless of whether they were eligible for SDS or NSE, must meet the Canadian study permit application requirements.”
