Interior Minister, Aregbesola Commission’s Enugu Command NIS Office

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, August 13th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has urged Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) personnel to desist from all manner of corrupt practices while discharging their duties.

He urged them to be exceptional and professional in their conduct for effective service delivery to members of the public.

The Minister stated this in Enugu during the inauguration of the brand new NIS Enugu State Command Office Complex.

The Minister noted that “contemporary realities are pointing clearly to the fact that conducive working environment is a huge critical factor to productivity.

The former Osun state governor recalled how the office complex was attacked and damaged by arsonists during the #ENDSARS protest, expressing delight that the edifice is being inaugurated after been rebuilt with the assistance of some illustrious citizens of the state.

“The minimum facility you can provide for a man who bears arms is not only a place of safety but where his best capacity can be easily harnessed.

“President Muhammadu Buhari administration had done much to improve the various infrastructure development and upgrade in the four agencies under the ministry of interior.

Aregbesola also urged the personnel of the NIS not to lose sight of its responsibility and service to the Nigerian people.

“I, therefore, charge you to be exceptional in your conduct always.

“Immigration is the first contact that foreigners have with our country and the first impression, they say, lasts the longest.

“You must therefore strive to be professional and above all be patriotic.

“On no account must Nigeria’s image be damaged or undesirable element that could harm our nation slip in, under your watch, through commission or omission.

In his remark, Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had thanked President Buhari for the initiative of building such a gigantic immigration service complex within a record time in Enugu.

Represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the governor pledged his administration’s willingness to continue to partner and support NIS and the Federal Government in securing the people.

Also Speaking, Comptroller-General of NIS, Mr Muhammed Babandede, expressed appreciation to the people and government Enugu State for their support.

Babandede, directed the officers and men of the command to continue to be loyal and patriotic to the nation in the discharge of their duties while being vigilant.

He used the occasion to assure that the issue of passport shortage will soon be a thing of the past with the opening of the command’s new office complex in Enugu.

Welcoming guest to the event, elated Enugu State Comptroller of NIS, Joachim Olumba, thanked the Ministry of interior for its support in ensuring that the facility was completed.

He regretted that the Inauguration was delayed following the destruction of the facility after its completion last year by #ENDS SARS protesters.

He assured the Minister and NIS boss, that the facility will be put into proper use.

Our Correspondent reports that the occasion was graced by the traditional ruler of Nike-Enugu, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Julius Nnaji; Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, the Seriki Hausa in Enugu, Abubakar Samba as well as government functionaries, amongst others.