Interior Minister Tasks NIS Mgt On Service Enhancement

By Nkiru  Njemanze

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has charged Comptrollers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on the need to enhance the service in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President to change the narrative.

The Minister made the call in Abuja during a meeting with top-rank officers of the service including the Comptroller General, Deputy Comptrollers General, Assistant Comptrollers General, and Comptrollers.

Tunji-Ojo pleaded with the personnel to cooperate in re-designing and re-engineering the Service.

According to the Minister, there was urgent need to critically expand the coast to improve the service and stimulate a departure from the old ways.

“We want to write a new script – a script that is based on sweet experience for the people of Nigeria. Let generations yet unborn come and read the tales in the chronicles of time that there was a time when NIS was downwards, and God brought a Moses supported by Aarons like you to take it up to the next level”.

The Minister further charged officers to help the Service take its place of pride by adequately carrying out their mandate as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

On commitment on the part of government, the Minister assured the Service of an upward improvement on welfare packages and capacity development to reform the service.

“We are already working with necessary agencies of government to look at how your salaries can be at par with other sister agencies in line with what the law says. People need to be assured of the future. People need to be encouraged knowing fully well that even after service, a good life lies ahead”.

Speaking during the meeting, the Comptroller
General of Immigration, Mrs Caroline Adepoju appreciated the kind gesture of the Minister, and his innovative approach of solving challenges confronting the service.

“I want to say thank you to the honourable minister. As a service, we assure you of our loyalty and commitment to lead the progressive call you have charged us with. We will not let you down. We will not let the country down. We will not let the president down. Be assured that our men will key into all your innovative reforms, and will not compromise the system,” she said.

The meeting was attended by top management officers and directors of the Ministry including the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Peter Egbodo.

Edited By Grace Namiji