The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Isah Idris, has described retiring Comptroller of Immigration, Chukwuemeka Obua, as a vibrant, disciplined and hardworking officer.
Idris disclosed this during the Pullout and Thanksgiving Ceremony of the former National Public Relations Officer (PRO), at the Lagos Border Patrol Command in Seme, Lagos.
He said that Obua contributed immensely to the transformation of the NIS into a world class organization it had become.
“His commitment, passion and selfless service to the NIS is well documented and will remain indelible in the history of the Service.
“His record of excellence and valuable service to the NIS will be sorely missed by all,” the immigration chief said.
Idris, who was represented by Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Babangida Usman, recalled Obua’s time as PRO of the service, during which he demonstrated an uncommon passion for the NIS.
“As the image maker of the Service, your dedication to duty and the transformation witnessed has remained unmatched.
“As an image maker, the NIS, during your time, got the needed media attention and awareness with the Nigerian pubic.
“Also, your period of service to the NIS at the Servicecom unit in the SHQ, was indeed another period of numerous achievements.
“You were indeed a master of your craft. This was evident in the increased service delivery efforts across all our service outlets in the NIS.
“During your period in the Servicecom, the NIS was severally recognized as the best performing MDA in the ease of doing business In Nigeria.
” You are a goal- getter and dogged achiever. Your Indelible contributions to NIS and Nigeria will forever remain in the sands of time,” he said.
Idris said that the entire management of the NIS was appreciative of his contributions to the service.
“You may be retired, but rest assured that your wealth of experience and reservoir of knowledge in the course of service will always be valuable to the NIS.
“We sincerely hope that you will oblige us whenever we come calling, as we continue in the quest to reposition the Service for optimum performance leveraging on your already laid foundation,” he said.
In his address, Obua urged the officers in the service to sit up and take their duties seriously.
“I will urge all the officers to sit up and take their duties seriously than before.
“I implore you to sit up and take your duty very seriously in order to project the service In a better light than you met it when you were enlisted,” he said.
The pullout was done by senior officers in the sister agencies such as Nigeria Customs, Nigerian Army, Air force, FRSC and Nigeria Police.
At the thanksgiving service in Badagry, top immigration and Customs officers, among others, described the retiring officer as an easy going person that would be missed by the service.
In his comment, Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration Abiodun Hundeyin said he was impressed with the turnout of people for the pulling out parade.
He said that the retiring officer was dedicated, diligent and sincere during his service.
Alhaji Fatai Shokunbi, the President BACCIMA, commended the officer for what he had done for the country throughout his service.
Comptroller Dera Nandi, the Controller, Seme Area Command of Nigerian Customs, thanked the people that came to celebrate with the officer.
Mrs Lucia Quachey, the 79-year-old mother of the retiring Comptroller said she got pregnant at the age of 17, when her mates were still in school, and never regretted giving birth to him.
Quachey urged parents to always love their children no matter the situation.
NAN reports that Obua joined NIS on May 12, 1988 and retired as Comptroller of Immigration, Lagos State Border Patrol Command on May 12, 2023.
The pullout ceremony was witnessed by Badagry Local Government Chairman, Mr Olusegun Onilude and his counterpart in Badagry-West LCDA, Mr Joseph Gbenu, and senior officers from NIS, Nigeria Customs, Army and FRSC.
