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NIS unveils enhanced electronic passport facility for South East
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that applicants seeking to procure the Nigerian Passports no longer need the services of anybody.
The Minister stated this on Thursday in Enugu while unveiling the enhanced electronic Passport facility for the South East.
In a statement by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration Service Public Relations Officer, Amos Okpu which was made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, the Minister noted that with the seamless online option that the NIS has enabled, prospective Passport applicants can now sit in the comfort of their homes and Offices and apply for any category of Passport.
He stressed that “Passport applicants don’t need anybody again to get Passports; it is so easy to apply online and applicants will only be required to come to the selected Passport Office on the appointment date for enrolment.”
The Minister maintained that the main aim for the introduction of online application and payment option is to eliminate all forms of Passport racketeering, touting and clumsy processes.
He enjoined Passport applicants to visit the NIS Passport portal via passport.immigration.gov.ng to apply, complete the form, pay online and get appointment date for enrolment without assistance from anybody stressing that many of such assistances tend to complicate the entire process.
He advised applicants to ensure that they have their National Identity Number (NIN) and be ready to supply verifiable documents to enable easy processing of their applications.
Earlier, the acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris had stated that the enhanced ePassport is the latest technology in Passport production. It comes in three categories of:
(i). 32-page, five –year validity;
(ii). 64-page, five-year validity and;
(iii). 64-page, ten-year validity.
The data page is polycarbonate and water-resistant. It has additional 25 security features over the ordinary electronic Passport.
He maintained that with the unveiling of the enhanced Passport and commissioning of the Production Centre in Enugu, all the five Passport Offices in the entire South East have been migrated to the enhanced Passport platform. He enjoined holders of the ordinary electronic Passport not to worry as the two documents are valid and running concurrently.
He requested prospective applicants for the enhanced ePassport to avoid giving out cash payments or patronizing touts for assistance as the process is easy by simply visiting the Passport portal to apply and pay. He further enjoined members of the public to also utilize all available contact channels such as +2348021819988 and social media handles (Twitter&Facebook both @nigimmigration) to make enquiries or lay complaints.
Speaking earlier, the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Simeon Uchenna Otuanya thanked the Nigeria Immigration Service for its valuable contributions to the security architecture of the State.
He lauded the introduction of the enhanced ePassport to the entire South East while assuring the Minister that the State would continue to support all agencies in the State.
It will be recalled that the enhanced ePassport facility for the South West was launched sometime in December last year in the ancient city of Ibadan. Plans are underway to extend the same facility to all the remaining geographical zones of the country.
A critical highlight of the event was the commissioning of the Passport Production Centre facility by the Minister of Interior ably assisted by the Secretary to the State government.
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.
Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.
He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.
He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.
“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.
“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
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