Aregbesola Tasks New DCGs To Uphold Reforms, Integrity

Sodiq Yusuf

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged the newly elevated Deputy Controllers General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to uphold the reforms introduced by the Federal Government in order to deliver efficient service to Nigerians.

Aregbesola also challenged them to uphold the integrity of their various organisations, stressing their pivotal role in national security and development.

The Minister gave the charge while decorating the newly appointed Deputy Controllers General of the NCoS and NIS on Wednesday, in Abuja.

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They are Asogwa Dominic Obetta and Amahian Dora Ejeh of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Ahmadu Adamu, Marylaurine Emmanuel Melchizedek, Magaji Ahmed Abdullahi, Akinrujomu Tosin Jerome, Tinuoye Olumide Timothy and Usendiah Esu Joseph of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The former Governor of Osun is of the opinion that in the last four years, efforts have not been spared to make sure that agencies under the Ministry are rid off corruption and are further strengthened to work in the interest of the masses.

Aregbesola said: “Your appointments are coming at a transitional period when great reforms are taking place in the NIS and NCoS. I am proud to say that you have been part of the transformation in these services and are even now being placed in position of higher responsibility. I have no doubt that you fit the bill and will live up to the billing. You are the best for the job and will do it satisfactorily.

“We are working with the mandate to make citizenship integrity the philosophy of governance. This means that we must work with the consciousness of a servant serving the citizens of this country. No one we have to deal with in our official capacity should therefore experience any hardship or difficulty; while the full resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be at the disposal of all Nigerian citizens who may need such in line of our duty.

“This is why guarding our borders effectively, but making entry and exit seamless, is a delicate art we have to perfect. Also, Nigerians who need passport and foreigners who need Nigerian visa should obtain them with ease. The reforms we have been carrying out at the NIS are meant to achieve these and I have no doubt that you will step up your groove and deliver resounding successes in this direction.

“In spite of the challenges we faced recently, close to two million passports were issued last year, which was unprecedent, to underscore the phenomenal success recorded. We have also reformed the passport application process, making it possible for Nigerians in any place on the face of the earth, in the corner of their room, to apply the Nigerian passport without stress.

“I am therefore giving you a special charge to stamp out all forms of corrupt practices in passport administration and make the obtainment of passport by Nigerians a seamless exercise.”

The Minister also advised that the NCoS new senior officers embrace the highest level of professionalism in fulfilling their mandate.

“The core of the reform at the NCoS is to humanise the penal system, changing the philosophical orientation from punishment to reformation. We believe that depriving a person freedom by confining them to a cell, away from family and friends and the freedom to be themselves on their own terms, within legal limits, is a punishment on its own.

“But their incarceration should give them the opportunity to reflect on the past, the bad choices they made and a change of heart to be better persons and realise the best version of themselves. Our role is to keep them safe, nurture them in good health, provide the opportunities they need for this transformation and help them to reintegrate back into the society as good and law abiding citizens. They should leave our facilities full of gratitude for the opportunity they get for a new life.

“The officers are therefore required to live above board, avoid any behaviour, especially inappropriate fraternisation with inmates, capable of jeopardising the safety of inmates and staff and the security of our facilities. I continue to receive good reports of the professionalism and gallantry of our officers across the four services. I am immensely pleased by this this and I hope this will be improved upon,” the former Governor of the State of Osun stressed.