Published By Olukayode Idowu, Sokoto
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Sokoto State Command has moved to a newly constructed ultra-modern office in Sokoto, the state capital.
Speaking during the commissioning of the complex located along Gusau Road, Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described the decision by the management of the Service to build a new State Command Complex for its officers and me as not only very timely but strategic.
He noted that the edifice will offer conducive workplace environment for the Service, while stressing that the State recognizes the crucial role of the NIS in the national security architecture.
He said: “As a State with very vast international borderline, we put high interest in any efforts that would make officers and men of the Immigration Service to be comfortable in the State to do their job and this is the reason why we commend the management of the Service for completing the project.”
Tambuwal while applauding the efforts of the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI) Muhammad Babandede for the digitization of NIS systems and operations, said the choice of Ilella Border Control Post in the State as the Pilot Centre for the e-Border project is highly appreciated.
He stated that the effort will significantly address the security concerns at the Land Borderlines in the State, affirming the State’s readiness to continue to support the Service in any way possible for enhanced service delivery to the good people of Sokoto State and the country at large.
Earlier in his remarks, Babandede reiterated the Service’s uncommon commitment to the welfare of the workforce. He said upon assumption of Office as Comptroller General he noticed a huge infrastructural deficit in the system and got committed to building at least two Command Office Complexes yearly.
He said this has been pursued very vigorously till date with the Sokoto Command Complex being the twelfth of such buildings already delivered while six others are currently in various stages of completion.
He noted that before now the Sokoto State Command has been operating at the Federal Secretariat in the State for decades.
He thanked the Federal Government for the delivery of the NIS Technology Building which currently houses the e-Border project. He said: “As I speak, we can monitor real time online all movements and activities at Ilella Border Control Post.
“The ilella Control Post is our e-Border Pilot Centre and to this effect, we have upgraded it to a full Command Structure under the supervision of a Comptroller of Immigration.”
He added that the e-Border project remains the most suitable and modern approach to meaningfully address the nation’s Border Security concerns especially at the Land Borders.
The Comptroller General further affirmed management’s renewed commitment to profound reform efforts that would deliver the most effective and efficient migration management agency to the country.
He applauded the Governor for the warm reception accorded his team at the Government House and expressed appreciation for the Governor’s gracious acceptance to personally commission the Office Complex.
He also used the opportunity to thank the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for providing good leadership to the Ministry and its agencies, especially Nigeria Immigration Service. He equally thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for investing heavily in NIS which has indeed positioned the Service very strategically in the country’s security system.
Dignitaries at the event include the Deputy Governor, Hon. Manir Mohammad Dan-Iya, Secretary to the State Government, Saidu Umaru Ubandoma, other State Government Functionaries and representatives of military and paramilitary agencies in the State
