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Capacity Building Critical to Efficient e-Border Governance, Says CGIS Nandap
The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), KN Nandap, has said that capacity building is a critical requirement for efficient e-border governance.
The CGIS made the remarks at the Passing Out Parade and Presidential Commissioning of 714 cadets of the 49th Superintendent Basic Course which took place at Immigration Training School, Kano (ITSK), according to a statement signed by Public Relations Officer, DCI Kenneth Udo, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In her address, the CGIS congratulated the graduands for successfully undergoing the pivotal training intended to enhance their capacity building in border governance, migration policies, intelligence gathering and teamwork. She reassured that, The NIS under her watch shall continue to give priority to capacity building to all cadres of NIS personnel with continuous engagement with our partners and stakeholders to sustain the tempo of training and the development of our human capital through the Modernisation of Nigeria Immigration Service (MoNIS) project and other platforms.
She reassured the graduands that they have made the right choice joining the Service and charged them to shun politics; be security conscious, dedicated and passionate about their duties.
Essentially, she expressed her unwavering commitment towards the full implementation of the e-border projects to facilitate real time surveillance and monitoring of expansive borders noting that the e-Gates project at International Airports, as well as the Advanced Passenger Information (API)/Passenger Name Record (PNR) will ensure effective, efficient and seamless passenger clearance systems at the Airports. She announced that the Command and Control/Data Centres at the Service Headquarters, Abuja is almost completed and would soon be commissioned.
The Comptroller General expressed the assurance that the rollout of the e-Enhanced Passport shall be sustained in all local Formations and Foreign Missions of the Service until 100% transition is achieved. She charged Heads of these Formations to make the automation of Passport application processes meant to curb sharp practices and improve service delivery with reduced human interface, more effective, efficient and user-friendly.
The CGIS further directs the Heads of Formations to vigorously support and make their respective Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Desks active and to get involved by intensifying efforts at reaching various public places like NYSC Orientation Camps, market squares, motor parks, Passport processing Centres with the message of the on-going Nationwide Sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of Irregular Migration which has glaring potentials to undermine the country’s national security.
The CGIS, reinstated her unshakable determination to improve the welfare of officers and men through timely promotions, provision of accessible and affordable housing and health schemes. She announced that the Management Team of the Service with Nigeria Immigration Cooperative Society (NIMCOS) are collaborating for the establishment of a Microfinance Bank that will create affordable and more convenient financial access to officers and men.
The Immigration Boss appreciated the Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his innovative, dynamic and visionary leadership and support for the Service; the Executive Governor of Kano State Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for always supporting the school, and implored the State Government to sustain the support to the premier institution; Zonal Coordinators, Comptrollers of Commands; representatives of other sister agencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional and Religious leaders as well as the media for their presence.
In his remarks, the Hon. Minister of Interior, recognised the NIS officers as “the frontline officers who protect our borders, uphold our laws and promote the values of our country to the world”. He equally observed that the Commissioning/Passing out of the cadets “represents a sincere demonstration of government’s commitment to not only strengthen our security architecture but, also provide gainful employment to the teeming youth of our great country.” He said he has worked tirelessly to support the improvement of the welfare of Officers as well as the automation of the Service to meet postmodern standards and, to make the Service stand out amongst its counterparts anywhere in the world.
Therefore, the Minister charged the graduands to be professional and disciplined while on the field. He, also, implored all and sundry to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the country.
10. High point of the event was the commissioning and presentation of awards to deserving graduands.
Glo subscribers who use Palmpay app to recharge their lines are in for an exciting time as winners have begun to emerge in the ongoing second edition of the “Recharge and Win Bonanza”, a collaborative promo between Palmpay and Globacom.
The promotion rewards Glo users who recharge their lines via the Palmpay app with a chance to win premium prizes, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Infinix Hot 40, and several other exciting giveaways. According to a joint statement from both companies, the initiative is designed to encourage seamless digital recharges while rewarding customer loyalty in the process.
So far, winners have been announced from the latest draws, with several participants winning brand new Infinix Hot 40 smartphones and other prizes. Among the lucky winners are Basirat Mayowa Opatunji from Osogbo, Osun State, Wisdom Anayo Uzoma, Afeez Akanfe Muraina, and Oyedikachi Herbert.
To ensure convenience, winners outside Lagos will have their prizes dispatched to the nearest Palmpay office for pickup.
Participation in the promo is open until August 8, 2025, and is as simple as recharging a Glo line with ₦500 or more via the Palmpay app. Each qualifying transaction automatically enters the subscriber into a draw for a chance to win. In addition, a daily social media challenge offers more opportunities to win cash prizes.
Palmpay users also enjoy up to 6 percent cashback on Glo airtime and data purchases during the promo. Even better, customers who haven’t activated a Glo data plan in the last 90 days are eligible for a 100% bonus on their recharge.
One of the winners, Basirat Mayowa Opatunji, couldn’t hide her excitement after winning an Infinix Hot 40 smartphone. “I’ve always recharged my Glo line through the Palmpay app, but I never imagined I’d actually win a phone,” she said. Currently studying at Ekiti State University through the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun study centre, Basirat added that she would be picking up her prize in Osogbo.
To participate in the ongoing bonanza, Glo subscribers can simply visit: http://bit.ly/PalmPaySms
The Federal government has responded to the United States’ recent visa rules that reduce how long Nigerian visitors can stay in the United States and limit them to one entry per visa by calling on Washington to reconsider its new visa policy.
The U.S. Department of State had recently updated its non-immigrant visa policy for several countries, including Nigeria, on Tuesday.
Under the new rule, most non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be valid for only three months and allow just a single entry into the United States.
The changes took effect immediately.In a notice published on its website, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria state: “Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity. We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity. You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.
“The Federal government responded to this by describing the new US directive as “misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect” that ought to govern bilateral engagements between friendly nations in a statement released on Wednesday through Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson.
The Federal government said it views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.
“The attention of the Federal government of Nigeria has been drawn to the recent decision by the United States Government to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas including B1/B2, F and J categories to three months with single entry,” it stated.
“The Federal government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries. The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.”
It also claimed that this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.
The government also said it understands that every country has the right to make its own immigration rules, but it hopes the U.S. will “reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.”
It also added that diplomatic engagements are ongoing, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assembled a team of 97 lawyers to challenge what it describes as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ‘fake lawsuit’ against its interim leadership, including former Senate President David Mark and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
The legal team, led by Barrister Mohammed Sheriff, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, accusing the ruling APC of filing a suit using the names of individuals who are not members of the ADC.
The latest development follows a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja between Senator Mark, who is now the ADC’s Interim National Chairman, and the party’s Kogi State chapter.
At the meeting, Mark assured Nigerians that under his leadership, the ADC would operate with total transparency and would not favour any presidential aspirant.
“I don’t own this party more than any other member… All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC,” he said.
He, therefore, urged party members to set aside their differences and focus on building a united political force, warning that Nigeria’s democracy could fail if citizens remain passive.
The ADC chairman also criticised the APC, saying the ruling party should focus on fixing its own policy failures rather than targeting individuals.
“If they admitted that insecurity was bad and promised to improve it but instead made it worse, should Nigerians continue to support them? The answer is no,” he said.
The ADC alleged that the APC had fabricated names in its lawsuit against the party’s interim leadership.
According to the ADC, investigations showed that the supposed plaintiffs in the suit were not registered members of the party in either Kogi or Nasarawa State.
“It smacks of desperation that a party entrusted with leading 200 million Nigerians would engage in such dishonesty,” the party said.
Mark used the occasion to call for national unity and encouraged Nigerians to support the ADC’s vision of a reformed and people-centred democracy.
“Let us work together to rebuild this nation for future generations,” he urged.
Barrister Sheriff, head of the ADC’s national legal support team, confirmed that 97 lawyers have volunteered to take up the case.
“We are fully prepared to defend the ADC and its leaders against this politically motivated attack,” he said.
