Why NIS must make Nigeria’s passport compulsory – Akeredolu

By Adekola Afolabi
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Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has called on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)  to make the Nigeria Passport compulsory for all Nigerian citizens to effectively monitor migrants into the country.

Akeredolu specifically called on the NIS to ensure that all citizens participate in the ongoing e-registration to checkmate activities of illegal immigrants in the country.

The Governor  said those migrating into the country, especially through the land borders must be identified with the proper use of the national passport.

Akeredolu who  made the call  in Akure during a courtesy visit by the new State Comptroller, Nigerian Immigration Service, Ondo State Command, Mrs Eunice Aboyade-Yebovi, further stated that those migrating into the country, especially through the land borders must be identified and documented with the proper use of the national passport.

He explained that the ongoing e-registration would be a big task due to the nature of the migrants in the forest area of the state.

“It might be a big task to register them because they might not know the importance of the registration and give it a different meaning. I believe that the time has come, even if you are a Nigerian, you must have either your passport or a means of identity.

“Every immigrant and citizen needs to have a passport to make the issue of e-registration easier in the country,” the governor added.

The Governor assured the Immigration service of his readiness to give the necessary support including land to build its station and its flag house in the state for the command to perform effectively in the state.

Akeredolu also commended the Immigration Service for its efforts on anti – human trafficking, adding that creating an anti – human trafficking unit shows the commitment of the NIS towards tackling the menace.

Earlier, Mrs  Aboyade-Yebovi,  explained that the essence of the visit was to intimate  the governor with activities of the command including the planned launch of e-registration of immigrants in the state.

She explained that the e-registration had already commenced in some states, and solicited the assistance of the state government.

The comptroller further requested the assistance of the governor for a befitting flag state command office, and boats for the command base at Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government area for effective service delivery.