The Federal Government has expressed commitment to the full implementation of all its e-border projects.
According to a statement signed by the Service public Relations Officer, DCI Kenneth Udo and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA,
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Dr Tunji-Ojo disclosed this at the Passing Out Parade and Presidential Commissioning of 714 cadets of the 49th Superintendent Basic Course at the Immigration Training School in Kano.
He described immigration officers as “the frontline officers who protect our borders, uphold our laws and promote the values of our country to the world”.
According to him, the Commissioning and Passing out of the cadets “represents a sincere demonstration of government’s commitment to not only strengthen our security architecture but, also provide gainful employment to the teeming youth of our great country.”
The Minister further said he has worked tirelessly to support the improvement of the welfare of personnel as well as the automation of the Service to meet modern standards and make it stand out among its counterparts anywhere in the world.
While he charged the personnel to be professional and disciplined on and off the field, Dr Tunji-Ojo implored all and sundry to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Earlier, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, congratulated the graduands for successfully undergoing the pivotal training intended to enhance their capacity building in border governance, migration policies, intelligence gathering and teamwork.
She reassured that the NIS under her watch shall continue to give priority to capacity building to all cadres of NIS personnel with continuous engagement with our partners and stakeholders to sustain the tempo of training and the development of our human capital through the Modernisation of Nigeria Immigration Service (MoNIS) project and other platforms.
She reassured the graduands that they have made the right choice joining the Service and charged them to shun politics; be security conscious, dedicated and passionate about their duties.
Mrs Nandap also expressed her unwavering commitment towards the full implementation of the e-border projects to facilitate real time surveillance and monitoring of expansive borders noting that the e-Gates project at International Airports, as well as the Advanced Passenger Information (API)/Passenger Name Record (PNR) will ensure effective, efficient and seamless passenger clearance systems at the Airports.
She announced that the Command and Control/Data Centres at the Service Headquarters, Abuja is almost completed and would soon be commissioned.
The Comptroller General expressed the assurance that the rollout of the e-Enhanced Passport shall be sustained in all local Formations and Foreign Missions of the Service until 100% transition is achieved.
She charged Heads of the Formations to make the automation of Passport application processes meant to curb sharp practices and improve service delivery with reduced human interface, more effective, efficient and user-friendly.
The immigration boss also directed heads of formations to vigorously support and make their respective Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Desks active and to get involved by intensifying efforts at reaching various public places like NYSC Orientation Camps, market squares, motor parks, Passport processing Centres with the message of the on-going nationwide sensitization and enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of Irregular Migration.
While restating her unshakable determination to improve the welfare of officers and men through timely promotions, provision of accessible and affordable housing and health schemes, the CGIS also announced that the Management Team of the Service with Nigeria Immigration Cooperative Society (NIMCOS) are collaborating for the establishment of a Microfinance Bank that will create affordable and more convenient financial access to officers and men.
