The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, has urged the Nigerian Immigration Service to maintain a high level of professionalism in discharging their duties. This call was made during a meeting with the state’s Immigration Service leadership, led by Comptroller Olufunke Odusote, at the Assembly Complex in Abeokuta. The discussion centered on addressing allegations of maltreatment of residents in border communities, particularly those of Egun descent, when applying for Nigerian passports.
Elemide commended the Immigration Service for the speedy and transparent passport issuance process, encouraging them to remain committed to achieving a corruption-free nation. He emphasized the need for the service to develop a means of distinguishing between Egun people of Nigerian descent and those from other countries to prevent issuing passports to foreigners.
The meeting also saw contributions from other assembly members, including Deputy Speaker Bolanle Ajayi and Honourables Oluseun Adesanya, Babatunde Tella, and Wahab Haruna. They commented on the handling of immigration matters in border communities, which sometimes puts Nigerians at a disadvantage.
Comptroller Olufunke Odusote acknowledged the unique security challenges faced by Ogun State due to its location as a gateway state. This has led to illegal migration from countries such as Ghana and Cameroon. Recently, the Immigration Service arrested 103 illegal migrants, including child traffickers and minors forced into child labor. Odusote called for legislative collaboration and public sensitization to combat this issue, highlighting the service’s inter-agency efforts to prevent such crimes in high-risk areas.
The meeting underscores the importance of effective immigration management in maintaining national security and preventing illegal activities. The Nigerian Immigration Service’s efforts to address these challenges and ensure the integrity of the passport issuance process are crucial in achieving a prosperous and secure Nigeria. As the service continues to work towards this goal, collaboration with legislative bodies and public awareness campaigns will be essential in preventing illegal migration and associated crimes.
