Immigrations Are the First, Last line Of Security – Compt. Dike
The Nigeria Immigration Service has been described as the first and last security outfit in the country.
The Comptroller Immigration, Seme border Command, Comptroller (Dr) Chukwemeka Micheal Dike disclosed this in a chat with members of Maritime Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) who visited him in Seme, recently.
Comptroller Dike explained that the officers of the NIS are the first security officers anybody coming into Nigeria meets, they are also the last security officers to bid you farewell when you are leaving the country, this according to him, makes the job of an immigration officer very important and critical.
” That’s why you have to be extremely capable to represent the country very well. This is so because whatever impression you give to a first time visitor to the country, leaves a lasting impression, this is why you can never have a second chance to correct a first impression.
The immigration officer has to be well trained to discharge his constitutionally assigned responsibility,” he said.
Comptroller Dike called for collaboration between Journalists and Immigration officers, to him, ” Journalists are also critical stakeholders in nation’s security in terms of information gathering and dissemination, that’s why they are often referred as ‘the fourth estate of the realm’ and there’s a need to collaborate as they are critical partners. The Journalist is also an Immigration officer by default and that is one of the reasons we should collaborate,” Dike explained.
Also speaking on the efforts of the Comptroller General of Immigration, Alhaji Idris Isah Jere to make issuance of passport a seamless thing, Compt. Dike disclosed that the CG has 3 cardinal objectives: to ensure that Nigerians get passports easily without challenges. ” It is his expectation that the issue of delay in passport issuance will soon be a thing of the past. He has advised that Nigerians stop relating with touts but with Immigration officers for a smooth operation.”
Going further, he said the CG is very passionate about the newly rolled out enhanced E – Passport which is the most technologically advanced passport. This he revealed will eliminate all the noticed loopholes in passport issuance.
Continuing, he said the Comptroller General of Immigrations is vastly knowledgeable about border management and control to ensure the borders are secure and safe.
Dike revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service last week promoted and upgraded over 5000 officers. While the CG is also working assiduously to see that they get their benefits while those on transfer are given their disturbance and transfer allowance. This he said, is in line with ensuring that officers of the NIS are happy, well remunerated and well dressed at all times.
Dr. Dike assured that all Nigerians with perfect travel documents will move freely without molestation. He warned that any Officer caught in unprofessional conduct will be treated with disdain.
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