New Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) meets CGIS.

The new controller general of the Nigerian Immigration services, Muhammad Babandede, MFR, who was appointed into office on the 26th of may this year, addressed the press at a maiden meeting with the CGIS today at the NIS headquarters in Abuja. He outlined his vision and agenda for the immigration service.

He thanked president Mohammad Buhari for his confidence in him for appointing him to oversee the NIS. He promised to justify his position by being the ideal image of governance.

He further promised that this government will be honest and transparent to all, especially the media.

In his statement, he acknowledged that there was a lot of work to be done in the NIS, hence, the need diligently operate in accordance with their international counterparts.

" my vision is to make Nigeria Immigration Service a modern, effective and efficient service manned by well trained and motivated workforce"

"The Nigeria Immigration Service under my stewardship must be returned to the path of honour, integrity, discipline and unalloyed commitment to national security it was known for."

He stated that he was conscious of racketeering from International passport applicants and travelers at various borders/ check points in the country and would set up an anti-corruption squad to check-mate it.

" I am setting an anti-corruption squad, but before this I will hold the zonal coordinators and comptrollers responsible. All zonal coordinators and state comptrollers must put an end to this in order to provide a comfortable environment for operatives."

On his mission, he said he would look forward to making more leaders out of the officers.

"Call me a missionary of justice, fairness and progress for the welfare of all officers of the NIS. I shall make more leaders out of the officers. The duty of leadership is to make more leaders and not followers"

" towards this end, I intend to run a most efficient service delivery system in the history of NIS"

*more powers shall devolve to the zones, state commands and Local governments.

*The CGI monthly parade is restored with immediate effect.

* No more petition writing
*opportunity for free questioning, comments and advises shall be provided

" as a way forward the administration will decentralize the following operations in the next two months:

* Decentralization of Passport Issuance Administration

* Approval for change of name due to marriage can now be given by the comptroller of state

* Approval for replacement of lost passports shall henceforth be given by state comptroller after online vetting and processing of application at the Passport Division in the service headquarters.

* Effort will be made to stop Passport officers from coming to Abuja for collection of booklets.

* Additional passport office will be opened in state commands where the existing passport office is getting overwhelmed.

* will involve state comptroller in the issuance of official passport to applicants in the state.

On the issue of retrieving of Official/ diplomatic passport from retired public servants or diplomats, the comptroller general said that charges would be pressed on unauthorized holders of such documents. He said this was because the persons were no longer eligible to hold such documents and are therefore in contradiction of S.10 of the Extant Immigration act, 2015.

" I here by direct that unauthorized holders of such passports be arrested at the airports and other points of entry/ departure."

He said that only 158 diplomatic passport and 310 official passport have been retrieved.

In his concluding remark, he said the NIS Must showcase that there is a change in line with the new government; stressing that we must treat other countries nationals as we want our citizens to be treated.

" we must show Nigerians and the International community changes in how we issue visas, passport, clear passengers at control Post and even how we arrest, repatriate and deport irregular migrants.