Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has inaugurated the newly constructed Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) office complex in Enugu, with a call on the personnel to desist from all manner of corrupt practices while discharging their duties.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the NIS Complex, Enugu -Abakiliki road, Emene, Enugu on August 12, the minister urged the officers to be exceptional and professional in their conduct for effective service delivery to members of the public.
He said that “contemporary realities are pointing clearly to the fact that conducive working environment is a huge critical factor to productivity.”
Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, recalled how the office complex was attacked and damaged by arsonists during the #ENDSARS protest.
He expressed delight that the edifice was being inaugurated after it’s been rebuilt with the assistance of some illustrious citizens of the state.
“The minimum facility you can provide for a man who bears arms is not only a place of safety but where his best capacity can be easily harnessed.
“President Muhammadu Buhari administration had done much to improve the various infrastructure development and upgrade in the four agencies under the ministry of interior.
Aregbesola also urged the personnel of NIS not to lose sight of its responsibility and service to the Nigerian people.
“I, therefore, charge you to be exceptional in your conduct always.
“Immigration is the first contact that foreigners have with our country and the first impression, they say, lasts the longest.
“You must therefore strive to be professional and above all be patriotic.
“On no account must Nigeria’s image be damaged or undesirable element that could harm our nation slip in, under your watch, through commission or omission” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi thanked Buhari for the initiative of building the Immigration Complex within a record time in Enugu.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, Ugwuanyi pledged his administration’s willingness to continue to partner and support NIS and the Federal Government in securing the people.
In his speech, the Comptroller-General of NIS, Muhammed Babandede, thanked the people and government Enugu State for their support.
He charged the officers and men of the command to be vigilant and continue to be loyal and patriotic to the nation in the discharge of their duties
He assured that the issue of passport shortage will soon be a thing of the past with the opening of the command’s new office complex in Enugu.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Enugu State Comptroller of NIS, Joachim Olumba, thanked the Ministry of Interior for its support in ensuring that the facility was completed.
He also thanked illustrious sons of Enugu State who assisted in renovating the destroyed building.
He said that the inauguration was delayed following the destruction of the facility after its completion last year by #ENDS SARS protesters.
Olumba assured the Minister and NIS boss, that the facility will be put into proper use.
The occasion was graced by the traditional ruler of Nike-Enugu, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Julius Nnaji; Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga,who was represented, the Seriki Hausa in Enugu, Abubakar Samba as well as government functionaries, amongst others.
