BY: ABDULLAHI ALHASSAN, KADUNA
Kaduna state Government have Congratulated the Nigerian Immigration service NIS over the celebration of its 60 years Diamond Jubilee anniversary held across the Nation.
Speaking at the celebration ceremony in Kaduna, the state Governor Senator Uba Sani, Said their presence attests to the fact that Nigeria Immigration Service, these 60 years, has come a long way and this milestone is quite worthy of celebration. It is a diamond jubilee.
Represented by Mr, Fabian Okoye, Special Adviser Research Decumentation and Strategy, explained that “These sixty years, has witnessed several transformational phases of the NIS.
“The Kaduna State Command of the Service has enjoyed a good working relationship with the state government and has in fact continuously contributed in no small measure towards the maintenance of peace and security in the state.
According to him, NIS is the agency of government saddled with the responsibility of control of persons leaving or entering Nigeria.”Although the Service is mostly known to Nigerians as the agency that issues passport and other travel documents, It is indeed the agency primarily responsible for border control and migration management in the nation.
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“I want to reassure you that the Kaduna State government is committed to building on existing cordial relationship with the Nigeria Immigration Service and is also willing to partner in more progressive ways to make the state not just a safe haven for everyone, but a prosperous economy for legitimate businesses to thrive.
Earlier in his welcome address the state Comptroller of NIS in Kaduna Bashir Mohammed Lawal, draw the attention of the gathering to the history line.
He said Nigeria lmmigration service was a baby born child extracted from Nigeria Police Department on 1st August 1963. Given the mandate objectives and functions, control of Migrants, issuance of Visa and Resident permit, issuance of Travel Decument, Registration of Migrants and also Land,Air and Sea Border patrol management.
Comptroller Mohammed Lawal, noted that the service has undergo series of operational reforms in an effort to reposition it’s service towards people oriented effective, efficient and professional service delivery according to global best practices.
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“This celebration is designed to showcase various achievement of the service towards the protection of National ldentity, Border Management, as well as the effective implementation of Federal government policy on security Economy and Transparency to ensuring economic development and National security.
Comptroller Bashir, maintained that immigration service was among the first Government organisation to successfuly implement the federal government Executive Order initiative (EOI) 2017, sebsequently, implementing the National Visa policy 2020 with cardinal operational objectives of Ease of doing business in Nigeria, boosting tourism and improving business environment.
He noted that, Nigeria is an important destination county for Migrants which majority are from ECOWAS community. in view of this as the Nation’s gatekeeper, Nigeria immigration service has made a remarkable achievement for it’s effective and efficient monitoring and control of migrants towards internal security challenges faced by the service on rising cross border migration violation and transnational crime.
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“The roles and responsibilities of Nigeria immigration service towards National security, border management and National identity cannot be overemphasized as the service will continue to use creative ideas and innovative approach and also remain sensitive to the ever changing social, economic and political environment to address new global challenges.
Comptroller Mohammed Lawal noted that in an effort to building a stronger organisation , Nigeria immigration service has participated in numerous local and international training and manpower development programmes for it’s workforce to professionaly conduct it’s service effectively and efficiently by providing outcomes that are central to its mandate and making Nigeria an attractive hub for business and tourism.