The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Monday organised a pull out parade for the 16th Comptroller General, Mohammed Babandede who retired after 36 years of meticulous service.
The ceremony had the presence of prominent personalities including Minister of Interior, Minister of Communication and digital economy, Traditional Leaders, Retired Comptroller General of the Service amongst other distinguished personalities.
Mohammed Babandede is the first Comptroller General to be ceremoniously pulled out since the inception of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Speaking on the topic titled, ‘A fine officer and a gentle man never retires’ Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated that the CG’s retirement is the most remarkable in history of NIS given his exceptional accomplishments in the service.
He ascribed the achievements of the CG to the dedication and efficiency of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to the NIS.
According to him in the past, “All the other transitions are porous, uncoordinated. One will not want to go, the other will be struggling to come, so in the altercation nobody will remember ceremony.
“What we are witnessing today is as a result of discipline, organization and commitment with focus” he added.
Speaking on his achievements he said “His tenure is perhaps the most remarkable in the Nigeria Immigration Service as he brought many innovations to the Service.
“The most remarkable one is Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) which enable the Nigeria Immigration Service to coordinate movements of persons at the four airforce borders and upload information on missing and stolen Passports to interpol on 24/7 basis. Nigeria sits proudly among the countries in the world that have attained this feat” he stressed.
He also stated that Babandede was one of those who made his job at the Ministry less challenging by bringing his wealth of experience to the fore hence his (Babandede) extension in service by one year.
Recall that the Interior Minister last year requested for one year extension for the 16th Comptroller General who should have retired last year after completing the stipulated 35 years in office.
For some of the projects still in progress, The Minister expressed optimism that the incoming Comptroller General will continue from where Babandede stopped and ensure that it is completed.
In his farewell speech, Muhammed Babandede expressed appreciation for a peaceful exit from the service.
According to him, he desire to continue to hear positive developments in the NIS and its growth to a more enviable heights.
Babandede joined the Nigeria Immigration Service Service in 1985. He was however appointed as the 16th Comptroller General on the 16th of May 2016.
