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Visa On Arrival Paying Off In Nigeria
Nigeria’s Visa on Arrival (VOA) policy has increased the influx of tourists as well as facilitated ease of doing business in the country.
Mr Muhammad Babandede, Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), said on Thursday “The VOA Policy has boosted influx of tourists into the country. People do visit the country now, because the policy has made the acquisition of visa very simple and easy.”
Babandede made the observation in his presentation entitled “Encouraging Tourism in Nigeria: Role of Nigeria Immigration Service” at the fourth Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) in Abuja.
NTIFE is an annual meeting organised by Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) to attract relevant stakeholders and chart a way forward for the tourism sector in the country.
The theme for the two-day forum and exhibition is “Infrastructure and Security: Catalysts for Sustainable Tourism Development”.
He said, “Visitors and tourists now come into the country and get their visa within 48 hours and go to patronise hotels and get involved in other leisure activities.”
Babandede, represented by an Assistant Controller General, Caroline Adepoju, said the VOA had resolved the naughty issue of having to return to one’s country of residence before applying for visa.
He explained that businessmen, tourists and visitors could apply for the visa from any part of the world.
According to him, the VOA has facilitated ease of doing business in Nigeria, eliminated unnecessary human contact which can encourage corrupt practices and elimination of error in visa classification.
“As a leading agency responsible for migration, the importance of encouraging tourism to the Nigeria Immigration Service cannot be over-emphasised.
“In other to encourage international tourism, the service has taken various measures which include contributing to national security through taking seriously issues of border patrol and security.
“Our personnel are trained in `host-manship’ to engender a friendly atmosphere for migrants, tourists and visitors and the personnel are expected to treat people with courtesy.
“The issue of multiple clearance procedures in our ports of entry has been addressed by collaboration with sister security agencies such as Port Health and Nigeria Customs.
“Check points along our ways from International Border routes have been dismantled and our personnel have been directed to do more of border patrol because this allows for easy movement,” he said.
The NIS boss also urged groups, government agencies and corporate orgainsations, who invited persons from outside the country to always inform the service ahead of their arrival.
“It will assist us to provide dedicated desks to facilitate easy and effective clearance of the invited persons at our entry points,” he said.
NAN
Shettima, in a statement on Saturday, described the incident as a heinous act of terrorism against innocent civilians.
The Vice President called on relevant agencies to intensify probes into the incident and ensure that victims and families of the deceased receive urgent support.
The former Borno State governor, who sympathized with the families of the victims and the people of Borno, expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
According to him, the Federal Government would not relent in its efforts to ensure that those responsible for the despicable act face the full weight of the law.
“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones in this senseless act of violence.
”The government stands with them in this difficult time and will provide all necessary support.
“The administration of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, remains committed to restoring lasting peace and security to the Northeast and all parts of Nigeria.
“We will not allow our enemies to undermine the progress we have made in degrading their capabilities,” Shettima said.
The Service Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
According to Umar, the misconduct was detected through the automated passport application system operated by the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, underscoring the effectiveness of ongoing inter-agency cooperation.
“The Service wishes to clarify that this misconduct was uncovered a fortnight ago through reforms introduced in the NIS, which flagged the irregularity.
“This particularly speaks to inter-agency collaboration and cooperation.
“The implicated officers were suspended by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB, under the leadership of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as part of disciplinary measures, ” he said.
The NCoS spokesman quoted the Controller General of Corrections, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, as reaffirming the Service’s commitment to discipline, transparency and professionalism across all custodial facilities nationwide.
According to him, the Service is committed to its core mandates of secure custody, humane treatment and the reformation of inmates in line with international standards.
“The Service categorically states that any personnel found engaging in acts of misconduct, corruption or sabotage will be shown the way out of the system,” he warned.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Saturday after the weekly state executive council meeting. It was gathered that the state governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa presided over the meeting.
Ajulo said the proposal would soon be transmitted to the state House of Assembly for necessary legislative action.
He said, ” Kidnapping and cultism have become major threats to safety and public order and strengthening relevant legal frameworks would help deter such crimes and improve the overall security landscape.
” The proposals would soon be transmitted to the House of Assembly for necessary legislative action, including sentencing convicted kidnappers to death.”
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, revealed that the Executive Council approved the construction of two major dual-carriageway road projects in the state.
According to him, the first is the construction of a 24.75-kilometre dual carriageway from Ugbeyin Junction – Okitipupa Market – OAUSTECH – Ugbonla Junction – Igbokoda Jetty.
“The road will feature a 9.3-metre wide carriageway on both sides, a 1.2-metre median, concrete line drains, walkways, asphaltic shoulders in undeveloped areas, a 3-metre utility area, and solar-powered streetlights along the median. The entire road corridor is 28 metres wide, with a total right of way of 40 metres. It will also include modern traffic lights at critical intersections and is designed to carry heavy traffic with a reinforced pavement structure.
” The second project is the construction of a 6.7-kilometre dual carriageway from Supare Junction – Akungba – Ikare Road in Akoko area of the state. The specifications are similar, including a 9.3-metre carriageway on either side, 1.2-metre median, reinforced concrete line drains, walkways, a 3-metre utility area, solar-powered streetlights, and traffic management systems. It is also built to withstand heavy vehicular movement.
“In addition to these, the council approved the provision and installation of 6,000 standalone solar streetlights across the three senatorial districts—2,000 each for Ondo North, Ondo Central, and Ondo South. This is part of the state’s agenda to improve safety and public lighting infrastructure.
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