Immigration flags-off Abeokuta passport office, opens Kano facility
To deepen efficiency, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has flagged-off construction of Abeokuta Passport Office and commissioned the Passport Front Office in Kano to ease acquisition of the document by the traveling public.
Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Isah Jere Idris, while performing the ground-breaking in the Ogun State capital as part of his tour of formations in Zone A, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, assured that he would not relent in pushing the frontiers of improved and better service delivery to Nigerians.
He noted that the opening of the Kano office was in furtherance of measures to make passport administration less cumbersome.
The CGI, according to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Controller Tony Akuneme, described the new project as timely, stressing that on completion, it would enhance passport processing and production.
HE said: “Part of my agenda is to make passport acquisition seamless. And the only way we could do this is to improve, build the structures and equip them so that Nigerians can get these services without tears. This is, indeed, a timely project for upgrading our service delivery to the people of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole. This development will surely enhance passport processing and production in the Gateway State. I congratulate personnel of the Ogun State Command of the NIS and I can assure that this project will also help them deliver optimal service to the people of the state at all times.”
Idris commended the government and people of the state for their unflinching support for the Service, urging them to always stand for the progress of the nation. He also lauded sister agencies in the state for their cooperation.
The Immigration boss also paid courtesy visits to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Alake/paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, commending them for their support.
He particularly thanked the governor for allocating land site for the project and the refurbishing of three operational vehicles by the Ogun State Security Trust Fund, noting that the gesture had enhanced mobilisation and patrol.
Governor Abiodun and Oba Gbadebo thereafter applauded CGI Idris for the positive reforms he carried out on passport administration and border management.
The monarch stated that NIS played a significant role in ensuring efficient manning of “our land borders and air and sea ports during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.”
The Immigration boss also visited some border communities in the state, where he interacted with stakeholders on the need for vigilance and security awareness as the country approaches the general elections.
The CGI rounded off his tour with a working visit to the passport offices in Ikoyi, Alausa and the new passport front office in Alimosho Council to be commissioned soon by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
He equally paid a courtesy call on the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, before leaving for Abuja.
