The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has concluded arrangements to celebrate its 60th anniversary on August 1 and 2, 2023, showcasing positive reforms and achievements recorded.
The state Comptroller, Comptroller Aminu Shamsuddin, stated that the Acting Comptroller General of NIS, Mrs Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, has directed all the states of the federation to celebrate the remarkable event with lined-up activities.
Shamsuddin recalled that the Nigeria Immigration Service was formerly known as the Immigration Department but was later extracted from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in 1958.
“On 1st of August, 1963, the Immigration Department became an entity of its own, as it was formally established by an Act of Parliament, CAP 171, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and became Nigeria Immigration Service,” he said.
“We have Travel Documents, that is, Passport, starting from the introduction of Machine Readable Passport (MRP) in 1998 to its replacement with an electronic passport (e-passport) in May 2007.
“This electronic machine comes with capturing of biometrics, thus making multiple acquisition and identity theft difficult.
“The e-passport has also been upgraded to an enhanced e-passport in 2020, which makes forging difficult.
“The ECOWAS Travel Certificate is another travel document issued by the Service, which usage only covers the ECOWAS region.
“The introduction and issuance of Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) electronically to foreign expatriates who reside with us in Nigeria.
“Border Security and Surveillance, also known as the electronic border (e-border), has made border security and surveillance seamless,” the comptroller explained.
Shamsuddin said that the Technology Building at the SHQ has digital imaging equipment that makes it possible to monitor all entries and exits at the borders in real time.
“This allows the NIS and other law enforcement agencies the capacity to totally secure the citizens and properties from external threats,” he said.
The comptroller further said that the installation of the Migrants Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) at all recognized ports of entry has made it easy for NIS to save and analyze data of all migrants passing in and out of the country.
He added that the introduction of the National Visa Policy (NVP) 2020 has enhanced the ease of doing business, boost tourism, addressed the current migration-related challenges, and expanded the opportunities regarding bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries.
Shamsuddin mentioned the fight against Trafficking in Persons (TIPs) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM), which he said was a war being fought by NIS with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with NAPTIP.
He said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria with international communities as related to the NIS was for the peace and security of the nation.
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