Environment

NIS Ogun Command, Rotary Club Champion Environmental Sustainability

By Web News 375

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Ogun State Command, is collaborating with stakeholders to promote environmental sustainability and beautification.

The NIS demonstrated this commitment at a symbolic tree-planting exercise in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Abeokuta Royal, held at its Oke Mosan, Abeokuta headquarters.

The Comptroller of Immigration, Mrs Olufunke Odusote, described the exercise as a legacy project symbolizing life, nature’s continuity, and posterity.

Comptroller Odusote commended the Rotary Club and other partners for their support while encouraging officers to participate actively in sustaining the environmental preservation initiatives.

The President of the Rotary Club of Abeokuta Royal, Rotarian John Ogunmuyiwa, said the project aligns with the club’s global focus on environmental protection, climate action, and community development.

Also, the General Manager of Radio Nigeria Paramount 94.5 FM, Abeokuta, Mrs. Oluremi Olugbenro, who planted a tree on behalf of the station, lauded the initiative as a timely step toward safeguarding the environment and called for more public enlightenment on climate-friendly practices.

Symbolic trees were planted in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, among other dignitaries.

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Security

Discharge your duty with high level of professionalism, Elemide Tells NIS

By Web News 132

By Omolara Adasofunjo

The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Oludaisi Elemide has tasked the Management of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, in the state to discharge its duty with high level of professionalism, and integrity to achieve a prosperous Nigeria.

Mr Elemide stated this while playing host to the leadership of the Immigration Service in the state led by the State Comptroller, Olufunke Odusote at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The speaker appealed to NIS to address the allegation of maltreatment of residents of border communities, especially those of Egun descent when applying for the Nigerian Passport.

He stressed the need for the immigration service to device a veritable means of distinguishing other ethnic groups from their foreign counterparts to prevent granting the nation’s passport to foreigners.

Earlier in her remarks, the Comptroller of Immigration in the State, Mrs Olufunke Odusote acknowledged what she described as the unique security challenge the state had due to its location, this she noted was giving rise to illegal migration from Ghana and Cameroon.

She disclosed that about 103 illegal migrants most from the two countries were arrested recently, some of whom were child traffickers, alongside some minors being hauled into child labour.

The Immigration Comptroller called for legislative collaboration and public sensitization to stem the practice, noting that the service had continued to adopt inter-agency collaboration to prevent the crime in high prone local government areas in the State.

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Security

Lawmakers Seek Partnership with Security Agencies in Oyo

By Web News 372

By Mosope Kehinde

Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin has led the House Committee on Security and Strategy on a working visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The visit according to the Speaker is to synergize and partner to foster holistic approach to security, governance and legislation in the state.

The delegation was received by the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Augustine Padonu and the state NIS Deputy Comptroller, Olusola Odesola.

Speaking at the Headquarters of NSCDC, Adebo Ogundoyin acknowledged the efforts of the Corps towards securing the public and government infrastructure and protecting the people.

He noted that NSCDC was the first point of contact of the people as far as security situation is concerned, saying that this calls for the House to encourage the agency in the course of its duties.

Mr Ogundoyin maintained that the lawmakers, as the representatives of the people have the mandate to protect the people and their properties in the state through improved security architecture.

He said that there is a wide gap in the security architecture in the country, and this can be closed through collaborating efforts with other security agencies.

Also at the Immigration Headquarters, the Speaker commended the NIS in the aspect of passport application, processing and collection.

He also praised the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for the new innovation he has brought to the ministry.

Mr Ogundoyin praised the Immigration for its collaborative effort with other security agencies in line with the state Governor’s initiative.

Responding, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), Augustine Padonu, stated that the main challenges facing the Corps were lack of vehicles for movement, and lack of neccessary facilities to work with.

He gave assurance that the Command would not relent in protecting lives, property, public infrastructure, as well as ensuring good working relationship with other security outfits in the state.

The Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Olusola Odesola said that the Nigerian borders were complicated in terms of management.

He noted that though their men and officers were confronted with challenges in the course of their duties, such should not be excuses to discharge their duties accordingly.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Mr Dawud Olalere, had explained that the purpose of the visit was to familiarize with the NSCDC and Immigration for improved security system in the state.

The delegation include Mr Sanjo Adedoyin, Mr Lukman Ishola, Mr Ibrahim Shittu, Mr Oluwafemi Fowokanmi and Mr Rasaq Mabaje.

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Crime

NIS Personnel’s Brutal Act: There must not be a recurrence – Makinde

By Web News 915

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has condemned the brutalisation of two officials of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) by Nigeria Immigration Service personnel in Ibadan.

The governor decried the inhumane treatment meted out to the OYRTMA officials for apprehending an officer of the Immigration Service for violation of traffic rules.

Governor Makinde stated when he paid visits to the two assaulted officials, Mr Nurudeen Abiola, resident at Binukonu Olunloyo Area and Mr Taiwo Adeagbo, resident at Oke-‘Badan area as well as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command.

He described the incident as an unfortunate one that should never have happened, noting that Oyo State wants to be known for upholding the rule of law and that everyone must obey traffic rules, irrespective of their status.

The governor assured the victims that the state government would take necessary action and bring the culprits to book.

He said: “First, this should not be happening at all. It is very unacceptable. Whether you are an Immigration official or you work for other paramilitary agencies, these individuals are just trying to enforce the laws of the state.

“The fact that you work for a federal agency does not mean you are superior. So, I have asked the Honourable Attorney-General to ensure we follow this through.

“We will write to the Immigration authorities and prosecute the people involved, as this is not acceptable in Oyo State.”

Also speaking at the office of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, where he was received by Comptroller Abdulrasheed Ademola, Governor Makinde advocated a better intra and inter-agency cooperation among security agencies in the state.

He equally declared that there must not be a recurrence of such incidents, saying: “Oyo State is known for inter- and intra-agency cooperation. So, the incident is very unfortunate.

“I have asked the State’s Comptroller of Immigration that they should cooperate with us. Yes, they said this thing happened at the zonal level. There is an ACG in charge of the zone, who we plan to reach out to.

“I have been assured by the Nigerian Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, and also the zone, that they will cooperate with us to get to the bottom of this matter and ensure that this does not happen again.

“Oyo State must be known for the rule of law and we have zero tolerance for people breaking traffic rules.”

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Transportation

Immigration Launches Online Portal for Passport Application January 8

By Web News 677

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, will today (Monday) launch the first online portal for passport application in Abuja.

He disclosed this during a demonstration session of the online portal on Friday with the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Caroline Adepoju.

According to Tunji, an online passport application platform has been established for both international and Nigerian applicants.

The minister had announced in December that the Federal Government was working to ensure a full automation system of passport application in the country.

At the time, the minister said the automated application system was “99 per cent done,” adding that the process would include uploading passport photos and supporting documents.

He stated that Nigerian applicants who want 32-page passports with five-year validity would pay N25,000, while those who want 64-page passports with a 10-year validity would pay N70,000.

Meanwhile, foreign applicants, who wish to apply for passports with a five-year validity period and 32 pages, will pay $130, while those who prefer passports with a 10-year validity period and 64 pages will pay $230. Candidates must submit their applications at https://passport.immigration.gov.ng.

Dignitaries who graced the event included the Chairman, of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; representative of the International Organisation for Migration, Stephen Matete; Country Manager, Development Alternatives Incorporated, Joe Abah; Founder, Kwandala Foundation, Tijjani Musa, and the Co-founder, Technext, David Afolayan.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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News

NIS Arrests Illegal Migrants

By Web News 870

By Oluremi Olugbenro

Sixty-one people suspected to be irregular migrants from Cameroon have been arrested in Ogun State by the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.

The State Comptroller of Immigration, Mrs Olufunmilayo Bosede who announced the arrests to journalists in Abeokuta, said the 43 male and 18 female Cameroonians were discovered to have been smuggled into Nigeria by a private company, using them for health products’ networking business. 

Mrs Bosede stated that the Cameroonians who came into the Country through illegal routes and without valid travel documents were arrested at Ibafo area of the state alongside another set of fifty-two Nigerians.

The State Comptroller of Immigration explained that both the illegal migrants and their Nigerian counterparts had confessed that their recruiters made them to cough out large sum of money, ranging from 500 thousand to 650 thousand naira each, before they were registered as downlines in the networking business.

She maintained that, the two major recruiters, one Nigerian and another Cameroonian, who were on the run, had through the company, identified as QNet, lured their victims with promises of juicy jobs in Nigerian oil companies, banks and other blue chip companies. 

Stressing the need for caution as the fraudulent job recruitment approach was becoming prevalent, the Comptroller of Immigration pointed out that the arrested Nigerians, thirty-one males and twenty-one females were also recruited from different parts of the country under the same circumstances. 

Transportation

Decongest Passport Collection Centres, Minister Charges NIS Boss

By Web News 367

Minister of Interior, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has charged the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola to come up with measures to decongest passport collection centres, saying the President Bola Tinubu administration will not tolerate excuses and endless queues at Passport Offices.

The minister also charged heads of the service arms of the ministry on the need to walk their talk as the country is at a critical point and in dire need of transformation, adding that the president is interested in tangible results and not excuses.

Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Babatunde Alao in a statement on Wednesday morning disclosed that Dr Tunji-Ojo gave the charge on Tuesday while receiving briefings from the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola, and Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa.

He said; “I am just returning from a meeting with the President. He is not interested in excuses. We must work and deliver. Anyone who cannot help Nigeria to record progress must be kicked out because we can actually be great,” he said.

“Let me know your challenges. I am here to help you solve them. When you solve them and record successes, I am also successful. The time of talks is gone. So, keep your talk. Let us discuss solutions.

“Nigerians should not have to queue endlessly to get passports. No, this must stop. This is not the Nigeria of our dream. I need to know the challenges the agency is facing.

“We must all come together to deploy and invest our expertise to resolve them. Nigerians will take us up on our promises. If we have officers who are not ready for this rigorous process, we will excuse them.”

The minister reminded the agency heads that the new administration was not interested in usual talks and essay presentations, but actions to deliver value and growth.

He said; “Talks have not taken us anywhere as a nation. We must get it right. The Ministry of Interior is the heart of any nation. I want you to return to your tables and bring up action plans. It is my job to ensure the ministry is working.”

Dr Tunji-Ojo also underscored the importance of leveraging technology as a means to enhance efficiency and accuracy within the immigration and correctional services.

The minister highlighted that the implementation of advanced technological solutions could significantly reduce delays and streamline the handling of critical challenges.

“Technology has the potential to revolutionize our immigration and correctional systems, making them more agile and responsive. All I care, we need to embrace innovation and find ways to overcome the current challenges that often lead to bottlenecks in our processes. Our country is a great and important country. Let us live up to expectations.”

Vanguard / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Security

Better days ahead for passport processing- NIS

By Web News 430

The Federal Government has pledged its commitment to revolutionizing passport processing, ordering the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to begin to treat applicants with utmost respect in all its passport offices including those outside the country.

In a video broadcast at the weekend, Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who reaffirmed his commitment to executing the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu, said the ministry’s component of the agenda is a transformative plan aimed at revamping immigration services, correctional service, and other crucial areas within the ministry.

While laying out his comprehensive vision for reforming key sectors under the Ministry of Interior, Hon. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that his focus would be on ensuring that government’s promises translate into meaningful action, making positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.

“We wish to appreciate Mr President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the opportunity of service.

“We will do all that we can, all that are within our capacity, to ensure that we do not disappoint him, in terms of the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Vanguard/ Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Security

NIS Seeks NSCDC Support on National Security

By Web News 994

By Rasheedah Makinde

Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has solicited the continuous support of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC to collectively achieve National Security. 

The new NIS comptroller, Mr Muhammed Umar stated this during a courtesy visit to the State Command Headquarters of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC at Agodi Ibadan.

Mr Umar said the NSCDC cooperation with NIS had yielded positive results over the years, noting that the fight against insecurity was everybody’s responsibility. 

Comptroller Umar commended the officers and men of the Corps in Oyo state for their cooperation and display of professionalism during joint operations together with NIS on border surveillance.

He also requested more collaborative efforts at checkmating the influx of illegal immigrants to Nigeria through borders.

Reacting, the State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC Dr, Micheal Adaralewa reiterated his command’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Immigration Service to meet its statutory mandates.

Commandant Adaralewa further stated that the two agencies of the federal government have a security task to perform for national security and the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of the State.

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Politics

Corruption hampering the operations of Nigeria Immigration Service – Aregbesola

By Web News 709

By Rasheedah Makinde

The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has identified corruption as a major factor undermining the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS’s efforts at sanitizing the process and integrity of passport applications. 

Mr Aregbesola stated this while inaugurating a Passport Front Office in Oyo Town, Oyo State.

The minister said the newly inaugurated office was for applications and picking up of passports without bribing NIS officers for quick interventions. 

He said despite the efforts of NIS to ensure that applications of passport booklets are seamless, some bad officers were sabotaging the efforts by promising applicants an accelerated process. 

“The method they use was to lie to applicants that they were short of booklets which is a lie. We have two hundred and fifty reserved booklets in our offices”.

The minister stated further that the officers who are damaging the image of the NIS should desist or face the wrath of the law.

Mr Aregbesola said the inauguration of the Passport Front Office became imperative to reduce the burden on the Ibadan Passport Office for seamless administration. 

He said Ibadan Office has fourteen thousand unaddressed applications and there is a limit to what the Ibadan Office could do, as they could only attend to four hundred and fifty applicants daily.

On his part, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Mr Issah Jere who spoke through Mr Ishak Aliyu said the newly inaugurated office would boost social and economic activities in the town. 

Mr Jere, therefore, called on officers to be of good conduct and always be professional while discharging their civic rights.

Earlier, in his address of welcome, Nigeria Immigration Service Controller, Oyo State Command, Mr Mohammed Umar said the establishment of the outlet was in line with the passport reform agenda of the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola to bring passport offices closer and make collection seamless for Nigerians.

He said the contributions of the host communities also added value to the realization of the passport front office in Oyo Town.

The NIS controller, therefore, urged the communities to support the Immigration Service in ensuring that the office is well-maintained and secured for the betterment of all.

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Security

Aregbesola Directs NIS to Allow Nigerians With Expired Passports Return Home

By Web News 372

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to return to Nigeria with their expired International Passports.

Mr Aregbesola gave the directive on Wednesday, in Lagos, while responding to a complaint by a Nigerian-American citizen, Jamiu Kasumu, at the Alausa Passport Office during his unscheduled visit to the facility.

He said Nigerians in Diaspora were free to come back home with expired or non-expired Nigerian passport.

The Minister said no Nigerian needed travel certificate to come back home, except children, whose parents were Nigerians, but their identities were yet to be established according to immigration rule.

“I am using this medium to instruct all Nigeria Immigration Officers World-Wide to accord Nigerian travellers with expired Passport use such passports to return safely back home henceforth,” he said.

The Minister also advised Nigerians in Diaspora to update their travel document ahead of time to avoid rush during emergency.

Earlier, Mr Kasumu complained to the Minister that the Nigeria Immigration in America and Delta airline prevented him from coming to Nigeria because of expired Nigerian passport.

Mr Kasumu said he was able to return to Nigeria after he got travel certificate he obtained through a relation in Nigeria.

“I am appealing to you sir that the Immigration should allow Nigerians with expired passport to come back to their country,” he said.

PremiumTimes / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Yoruba

Ajo To N Risi Iwole-Wode NIS, Si Oju Opo Gbigba Iwe Irinna Re Pada

By Web News 576

Ilese to n risi iwole wode nile yii, NIS ti kede pe awon ti si oju opo eto iforukosile fun gbigba iwe irinna atowo sisan pada.

Eyi lo jeyo ninu atejade kan tagbemuso ibudo naa, Ogbeni Amos Okpu fisita nilu Abuja.

Oludari agba patapata fun Ajo ton risi iwole wode nile yii, Ogbeni Muhammadu Babandede, salaye pe oju opo naa yoo fawon eeyan laanfani lati beere fun nnkan ti won ba fe, kiwon si sanwo fokanojokan irufe iwe irinnaa tiwon bafe .

O fi kun kalaye re pe pelu bawon se si oju opo naa pada, ise gbigbawe irinaa ti bere niperewu lakotun pelu atokasi pe oju opo ero ayelujara ilese NIS, ti se www.immigration.gov.ng niwon yoo ti san owo.

Ao ranti pe, osu karun odun to koja lalakoso foro Abele, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola pase gbigbe oju opo ibudo naa ti pa, lona ati koju opo ohun tagere lawon ibudo ton pese iwe irinnaa naa yika orile ede yii.

Folakemi Wojuade/Olabiyi Fadahunsi

Yoruba

Gomina Akeredolu Ke Gbajare Lori Awon Ton Nwole Silu Lona Aito

By Web News 1148

Gomina Ipinle Ondo, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu ti ke gbajare lori bi aleekun se n ba iye awon to n wo ipile naa lona aito latawon enu iloro ori-ile.

O soro yi l’asiko to n’gba alejo Igbakeji Oga-Agba, nilese to nrisi iwole-wode awon eeyan nileyi ekun ZONE F, Dora Amahian, lofisi re nilu Akure.

Zone F yii, lo n mojuto ipinle, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.

Gomina Akeredolu woye pe orile ede Nigeria n padanu ohun pipo nitori awon iwaa odaran latowo awon eeyan to yo wo ile yi lona aito.

Gomina Akeredolu enito daba ibasepo kia-kia laarin awon ajo eleto aabo, wa bebe fun atileyin awon araalu lati wojutu is iwaa kooto awon arin-rinajo tiwon fe sora won di omo onile.

Olurunferanmi Odofin/Elizabeth Idogbe

Transportation

NIS, NCAA, Reach Agreement on Improved Passengers’ Clearance

By Web News 924

In line with the global best practices, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, have resolved to form a synergy to implement a Single Window Border Operation (SWBO) at the nation’s international airports.

This is contained in a statement by the Deputy Comptroller of NIS and the National Spokesman of the Service, DCI James Sunday on Thursday explained that it was to facilitate a secured international travels environment.

The statement notes that the arrangement targeted at facilitating ease and seamless passengers’ clearance without compromising national security has been sealed by both the Comptroller General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede, MFR and the Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu.

It adds that the equipment is to be combined with the Migration Information Data Analysis System, MIDAS, being operated by the NIS for collection of information and control of entry.

Adedayo Adelowo

Education

NIS Rewards 2 Mathematics Prodigies in Ogun

By Web News 1120

In recognition of their outstanding performance in mathematics, two pupils in public secondary schools in Ogun State have been honoured by the state branch of the Nigeria Institution of Surveyors, NIS. 

The pupils were offered cash gifts in Abeokuta at the 2019 Sanyaolu Memorial Lecture organised by the body of surveyors with the theme “Anxiety and tension in the land: where lies the solution?”.

Some of the dignitaries at the 2019 Sanyaolu Memorial Lecture.

Ajayi Toheebat of Salau Abiola Comprehensive High School, Osiele and Emmanuel Feranmi from St. Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta were celebrated on the occasion for scoring 98 percent in mathematics in the last unified examination in the state.

Earlier in the lecture, the guest speaker, Dr. Fassy Yusuf had identified poor education policies, corruption and ignorance as some of the major factors affecting national peace and stability. 

Dr. Yusuf who acknowledged the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government in reviving the nation’s economy, said the country required purposeful leadership and proactive measures to surmount the causes of anxiety and tension among Nigerians. 

The legal and communication scholar who said Agriculture remained a major tool for boosting the nation’s economy, advocated improved attention to the provision of land for agricultural purposes as well as agricultural education and modernized farming.

Also, the President, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, NIS, Mr. Alabo Charles gave the assurance that the national body of the institution would not relent in the promotion of ethical standards and practice.

A cross-section of attendees at the lecture

The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Prince Olakunle Oluomo who was represented by the chairman, House Committee on Lands and Housing, Mr. Soneye Damilola said the lawmakers would give priority to people-oriented laws to make life better for the residents of the state. 

In a remark, Ogun State Chairman of NIS, Mr. Babatunde Ashaye noted that the non-establishment of the office of the Surveyor General as an extra ministerial department was a major challenge to the profession.

Olusegun Folarin