The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), KN Nandap,has said that capacity building is a critical requirement for efficient e-border governance.
The CGIS made the remarks at the Passing Out Parade and Presidential Commissioning of 714 cadets of the 49th Superintendent Basic Course which took place at Immigration Training School, Kano (ITSK), according to a statement signed by Public Relations Officer, DCI Kenneth Udo, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In her address, the CGIS 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.
Essentially, she 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 these 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 CGIS further directs the 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 Sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of Irregular Migration which has glaring potentials to undermine the country’s national security.
The CGIS, reinstated her unshakable determination to improve the welfare of officers and men through timely promotions, provision of accessible and affordable housing and health schemes. She 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.
The Immigration Boss appreciated the Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his innovative, dynamic and visionary leadership and support for the Service; the Executive Governor of Kano State Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for always supporting the school, and implored the State Government to sustain the support to the premier institution; Zonal Coordinators, Comptrollers of Commands; representatives of other sister agencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional and Religious leaders as well as the media for their presence.
In his remarks, the Hon. Minister of Interior, recognised the NIS officers as “the frontline officers who protect our borders, uphold our laws and promote the values of our country to the world”. He equally observed that the Commissioning/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.” He said he has worked tirelessly to support the improvement of the welfare of Officers as well as the automation of the Service to meet postmodern standards and, to make the Service stand out amongst its counterparts anywhere in the world.
Therefore, the Minister charged the graduands to be professional and disciplined while on the field. He, also, implored all and sundry to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the country.
The high point of the event was the commissioning and presentation of awards to deserving graduands.
