News
FG Activates Passport Tracking System
The Federal Government has activated a passport tracking system that allows applicants to monitor and know the status of their application online.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said this during the passing out parade of the 47th Basic Superintendent Course, 2021/2022 at Nigerian Immigration Service training school, Kano, yesterday.
“One of the challenges of the NIS in recent past is in the issuance of the Nigerian passport. I am however, happy that we have overcome this and have now put in place a seamless passport administration system.
“We have also activated a tracking system that allows applicants to monitor and know the status of their application online,” he explained.
Represented by Commissioner, Civil Defense, Customs, Fire Service and Immigration Board, Emmanuel Bassey said before the end of the year, the service would have a fully digital application system that would remove any stress in the process.
“Let me reiterate my appeal to Nigerians to follow laid down regulations on passport application by going through the NIS online portal.
“Those who go through touts and unscrupulous NIS officials are undermining our effort to eliminate corruption and institute a stress-free application system.
“It is, therefore, your patriotic duty to go through the official channel and avoid any practice that subverts the due process,” he noted.
The minister said that their engagement into the Nigeria Immigration Service reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening internal security of which our borders were an integral part of.
According to him, without secure borders, no security measure can work, external criminally minded persons can infiltrate the country and escape at will, if the borders are not well secured.
He said that diseases spread also from one country to the other through cross border movements.
Aregbesola urged the personnel to put the training and indoctrination to use in manning the boarder.
“You need to know what the organisation you have joined, the NIS, is all about.
As you have been taught, your main mission is to man the nation’s borders,” he added
He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the ministry and by extension the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The minister also commended the Acting Comptroller General of the NIS for his professionalism, diligence, patriotism and the sterling way he had handled the affairs of the Service since his assumption of duty.
Earlier, the acting Comptroller General of the service, Idris Jere, advised the officers to always be guided by the rules governing the operations of the service premised on honesty and professionalism.
Jere thanked the minister of interior and the Federal Government for the continuous support accorded the service in its operations and manpower development activities.
Speaking also, the Commandant of the school, Comptroller Ado Rano, stated that the 548 cadets were taken through modern Border Security and Migration Management trainings, including physical drills to make them fit for the tasks ahead.
He stressed that members of the directing staff of the school demonstrated uncommon commitment during the course and thanked the CGI for the opportunity.
Hheads of security agencies, traditional rulers and members of the public graced the occasion.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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