The International Protocol Officers Conference (IPOC) has applauded the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and his counterpart at the ministry of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo over the introduction of the electronic gate systems at international airports and advancements in travel automation.
The aim of IPOC is to enhance travel facilitation, promote balanced inter-border exchanges, and review government efforts to improve travel processes from passport handling to port exit and entry facilitation.
IPOC, in a communique issued at the end of their conference held at the NIGAV Expo Event Centre at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Ikeja, equally recognised the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, for improving airport services and her efforts to eradicate touting and solicitation
In the communique, the conference condemned the abuse of Nigerian flags by many states governments, agencies and organisations that insert the coat of arms of the Federal Republic in the flag which is a misrepresentation of the symbol of sovereignty and agreed to advise the IPOC coordinator to seek clarification on the matter from relevant government offices and initiate a campaign to stop the abuse of the flag.
The groups intend to urge the relevant authorities to review and update the order of precedence in the Federal Republic from what has existed since 2000 as The National Order of Precedence of The Public Officer and Other Persons Bill 2000.
“Additionally, we recommend developing national protocol guidelines to ensure the smooth IPOC execution of state ceremonies and to promote harmony and cohesion within the country, the statement stated
Other recommendatons included the professionalisation of protocol and its integration into the career structure within the civil service, to request the establishment of the Council for International Protocol Profession and Centre for Protocol Profession Development as mechanisms for enhancing protocol duties and to propose that the council be extended to serve as an African regional platform for protocol, fostering regional integration, promoting inter-country harmony, and encouraging best governance practices.
It further called on all organisations to provide comprehensive, protocol-specific training for all protocol officers, prohibiting the appointment of untrained personnel in these roles and to unite in a campaign against touting in all airports.
IPOC, Africa’s largest annual gathering of protocol professionals, encompasses protocol officers from all states and sectors in Nigeria.
The conference promotes the exchange of information, learning, professionalism, and best practices in border cooperation and travel facilitation for the effective delivery of protocol duties. It offers a platform for peer review of various protocol practices, including standing international orders, and addresses diplomatic and intergovernmental issues related to travel,
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