Make Nigeria Passport Compulsory For All Nigerians, Akeredolu tells NIS


Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has called on the Nigeria Immigration Service to make the Nigeria Passport compulsory for all Nigerians, so as to effectively monitor the flow of migrants into the country.

Governor Akeredolu said those migrating into the country, especially through the land borders must be ascertained with the proper use of the national passport.

The Governor Spoke on Tuesday while playing host to the leadership of the state command of the Nigeria Immigration Service in his office.

The NIS team was led by its state comptroller, Mrs Eunice Ladi Aboyade - Yebovi.



Arakunrin Akeredolu said that the planned migrants registration exercise by the NIS will be a major task, due to the peculiar nature of the County’s environment and the people.

He said: ”This migrant registration will be a big task because of the peculiar nature of our environment and our people.

"People who live in the afforested areas are part of the migrants. I don’t know how you will get to them.

“You have a big task in your hands and I think you know that. A greater part of the work can be done along our borders. I think it’s time that every Nigerian coming in must have a passport or a means of identity.
“ I believe that the time has come that we put our feet down and asked everyone to come with their passports. It means that everyone should have a passport.

"When we have that, it makes the issue of registration of migrants easier. We must make our passport compulsory. Most of these migrants are those who migrate by road. Those who migrate by air have records."

The Governor assures the Immigration service of his readiness to give all the support needed for the immigrant registration to be successful in the state.

He said the state-owned media houses will be ready to help the NIS with the sensitization of the people.

Arakunrin Akeredolu also commended the Immigration Service for its efforts on the anti - human trafficking, adding that creating an anti - human trafficking unit shows the commitment of the NIS.

The Governor also granted the request of the NIS for a land to build its station and its flag house in the state.

Governor Akeredolu asked the state comptroller to prepare all the necessary letters to the effect.

Earlier, the state comptroller, Mrs Aboyade - Yebovi intimated the governor of the planned migrant registration exercise, saying that the NIS will commence the exercise very soon.

She sought the support of the state government in making the exercise successful in the state, adding that it will help the NIS to ascertain the number of migrants in the states.
The NIS boss also appealed to the governor to make land available for the construction of the station and flag house of the Immigration service in the state.

She said: “Our anti - trafficking unit is going round for sensitization . We are also sensitizing the people to be very vigilant on the activities of migrants and we are educating them on the need to come and register with us, especially with the beginning of the new e -registration.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
10th September, 2019

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