NIS: Jere pledges to consolidate on existing past achievements

The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Idris Isah Jere has pledged to consolidate on the gains recorded by the Service in the past few years.

He disclosed this when he was formally presented to the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by the Federal Commissioners and Board Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) today in Abuja.

Jere is to oversee the activities of the Nigeria Immigration Service in the interim following the retirement of Muhammed Babandede, the 16th Comptroller General of NIS.

Speaking at the event, the Acting CGI noted that he is quite aware of the daunting task of securing the nation’s borders as well as offering effective service to Nigerians and migrants.

In his words: “May I hasten to state that I am not under any illusion whatsoever about the herculean task which lies ahead but I believe that with the usual support of the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Interior, the enhanced commitment, cooperation and dedication to duty by all Officers and Men as well as the collaboration of our teeming stakeholders, we shall not only consolidate on existing legacies of the past administration which we all vigorously pursued, but we shall equally strive to fill identified gaps and take the NIS to greater heights”.

He highlighted some vital components that will form the policy thrust of his administration to include but not limited to be:

“Review of Border Security Strategies by enabling a committee of experts to re-examine the strategies with a view to ascertaining the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Service’s Border Management Policies and Operations.

“Critical assessment of Passport Operations to find lasting solution to the incessant challenge of Passport Booklet scarcity and improvement of staff welfare through massive capacity building and entrepreneurship training for Officers and Men as well as prompt action to address pending allowances and other claims of Officers and Men.

In his remark, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola charged the Acting Comptroller General to effectively secure the Nigerian borders and deepen the Passport application and issuance reform with a view to enabling a seamless process.

The Acting Comptroller General, Idris Isah Jere hails from Kaduna State. He is an alumnus of Bayero University Kano where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication in 1985.

He joined the Service in 1987 as a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration and has served in various Commands and Formations including Adamawa, Borno, and Benue State Commands among others.

He was the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Finance and Accounts until 10th September 2021 when he took over from the former Comptroller General, Muhammad Babandede (rtd) as acting Comptroller General.