Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has expressed readiness to strengthen its partnership with journalists in the state to enhance media coverage on issues associated with the security of the nation’s territorial integrity.
The State Comptroller of NIS, Mrs Iyabode Olawunmi Okuwa-Idris, said this when Ahmed ‘Lanre Abdullateef-led Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid her a courtesy visit at the state NIS command’s headquarters, Ilorin.
Mrs Okuwa-Idris described the visit as first of its kind since her appointment and reaffirmed the NIS’s dedication to working closely with the NUJ.
She highlighted the importance of informing and sensitizing the public about the service’s activities and the critical role journalists play in advancing the operations of the service.
During the visit, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration for Border Operations, Francis Jonah Udo, praised the professionalism of journalists in Kwara State.
He noted that journalists in the state have maintained high standard, with no negative reports emerging about the state command of NIS.
Udo also acknowledged the significant challenges faced by NIS officers in securing the nation’s borders, particularly in some communities in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of the state.
He called on the government to address these challenges to ensure better border security.
Assistant Comptroller of Immigration in charge of Anti-Smuggling Operations, Olumayowa Kabir Aliyu, expressed concern about the increasing number of youths leaving the country through unauthorized and dangerous routes in search of greener pastures.
Aliyu noted that while the NIS does not prevent citizens from traveling, it insists that all travel must be done legally and through approved channels.
He urged the NUJ to play a vital role in educating young people about the dangers of illegal migration, particularly through perilous routes like the Mediterranean.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Kwara State Council of the NUJ, Ahmed ‘Lanre Abdullateef, commended the NIS for its efforts to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in the state and for its role in safeguarding the country’s territory.
He emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the NIS and the media, noting that such collaboration is crucial for keeping the public informed about the agency’s activities.
Abdullateef encouraged the NIS to utilize NUJ platforms including electronic media, to further educate and sensitize the public about its operations and the importance of legal migration processes.
