Published By Olukayode Idowu, Abuja
Outgoing Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS), Muhammad Babandede has asked officers and men of the service to build on achievements and progress made during his over five years tenure.
Babandede, who gave a passionate valedictory message to officers of service in Abuja on Friday, reminded the officers of the importance of sustainability and building on successes attained for NIS to be a globally recognised agency of worth.
He said: “Yes, immigration has improved and achieve a lot, but we have all achieved all these together because each step and decision take for these achievements is done with input and suggestions.
“Therefore, i can confidently say that i am proud to have left the NIS today better than I found it and i am urging all of you that I am leaving behind.
“I am going, but don’t throw away the work that we have done, continue to build on it and on my part, i will continue to be an ambassador of the NIS because i don’t have any institution greater than this.”
While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for providing him the opportunity to serve Nigeria in the capacity of comptroller General of immigration, he also asked forgiveness from any officer he might have offended during his service and equally said he has forgiven those that might have wronged him.
Speaking earlier Deputy Comptroller General, (DCG) in charge of Finance and Accounts, Isah Jere, who is also going to be the acting CG until a new CG is appointed, described progress made during Babandede’s tenure as unprecedented in terms of technological advancement, meeting globally recognised standards, infrastructural development, welfare improvement and placing Nigeria among countries with leading immigration practice.
Also, DCG in charge of Human Resources Management, Aminu Bako, said Babandede’s tenure would remain a shining light in the history of the NIS because “your work will continue to remain in the sands of time in the history of NIS and indeed, you came, you saw and you conquered.”