News
NIS rolls out enhanced electronic passport facility for States in South-South
The Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris has enjoined prospective Passport applicants to ensure that they utilize the Service’s online platform to apply and make payment for any Passport category of their choice.
The Comptroller General stated this today in Port Harcourt at the roll-out of the enhanced Passport and commissioning of the central Passport production Centre.
He stated that the Service has deliberately enabled a seamless online application and payment process to discourage all forms of cash transactions which often times promote sharp practices.
He enjoined Passport applicants to embrace the online system and warned that management will deal decisively with any Personnel found involved in any cash transactions for Passport applications.
He noted that ‘the enhanced ePassport facility we are rolling out here today is one of such ongoing reform efforts to transform the entire Passport process and offer improved options to our citizens.
With the roll out today, all our Passport Offices in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and of course Rivers States have been fully migrated to the enhanced ePassport platform’,
With the roll-out and commissioning of the production Centre , Passport applicants who intend to process their applications in any of these States are expected to complete their forms online (via passport.immigration.gov.ng), make payment and book appointment for biometric enrolment and only visit the Passport Office they have indicated for enrolment on their appointment date.
Earlier the Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated that Passport service is a very critical one that should be handled with utmost care. ‘Passport is one of the most critical nationality documents an eligible citizen should hold.
It does not just allow the holder to cross national frontiers; it also confers nationality and citizenship’ rights to any holder.
The import of this therefore, is that the processes and procedures that would enable anyone to procure a Passport should not just be transparent, credible and seamless but a product of utmost diligence by those charged with the responsibility’, he stressed.
The Minister commended the NIS for the series of reform efforts it has brought to fore on the Passport platform stressing that the journey from the manually-written Passport to the machine readable, to the electronic and now to the enhanced electronic Passport has been most interesting.
He noted that the fact that the NIS has continued to ensure that the Nigerian Passport satisfies all the standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is not only laudable but a huge achievement.
He stated further that the enhanced ePassport is a product of the latest technology in Passport administration and issuance.
The document is of higher grade with additional 25 security features than the current one. It is polycarbonate in design and therefore water-resistant. It is difficult to forge and cannot be compromised by any antics of counterfeiters and identity-fraudulent individuals, he maintained.
He re-emphasized his Ministry’s zero tolerance to any form of sharp practices capable of undermining the ongoing reforms and warned that any Personnel caught in such unprofessional acts will be seriously sanctioned.
He further called on prospective applicants to utilize the online platform and ensure that they provide correct personal information in their application forms for effective processing and issuance.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Rivers State His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON who was represented by the deputy Governor Dr Mrs Ipalibo Banigo lauded the Service for considering Port Harcourt as the production Centre for all the Passport Offices in the South-South.
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She assured of the State’s readiness to continue to support all relevant agencies in the State and called for the sustenance of the ongoing reform efforts in Passport administration and issuance to give it enduring human face and experience.
The major highlight of the event was the cutting of the tape for the commissioning of the Passport Production Centre for Passport Offices in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and indeed Rivers State by the Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola assisted by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
With the roll-out and commissioning of the Centre, the region has joined the South East, South West and locations in the United States and UK that have been fully migrated to the enhanced ePassport regime.
The event was attended by top government functionaries of the State, Federal agencies including representatives of the military, security and response agencies in the State.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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