The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has been instructed to address delays in the issue of international passports by Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadan land.
When Mr. Mohammed Umar, the new Comptroller of NIS in Oyo State, visited him in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Olubadan gave the advice.
Oba Balogun asserts that all lawful inhabitants of a nation are entitled to an international passport; thus, obtaining one shouldn’t be difficult.
According to him, passport applicants now take months to access the document, which does not do the agency any favours.
Thus, the traditional chief encouraged the newly appointed NIS Comptroller to use the new passport office in Oyo town to speed up passport issuance procedures.
He claimed that by doing this, applicants wouldn’t experience any frustration.
“The delay in getting the document has led to numerous complaints.
He continued, “I want to make an appeal to you to use your excellent office to lessen the suffering of our people.
Yet, the Olubadan praised NIS for combating illegal immigration and human trafficking.
“I must laud your organisation for its efforts to address the issues of illegal immigration and human trafficking.
“It is extremely hopeful that all the elements causing the twin difficulties will be addressed with the dawn of a new era hatching in Nigeria under the next President Bola Tinubu,” he continued.
Earlier, the state’s NIS Comptroller praised Oba Balogun for maintaining calm in his realm.
Umar requested Olubadan’s assistance, particularly in the area of educating people about the dangers of harbouring illegal immigrants and human trafficking.
Additionally, he begged the Olubadan to mobilise advisory council members, emojis, and bales to inform Ibadan locals about border controls so they could stop illegal immigration and villages on the border from expanding.
He told the Ibadan traditional chief that the Service would work harder to speed up the passport issue.
He urged Nigerians who wanted to travel abroad to ensure they had legitimate documentation to stay out of legal trouble.
