The Minister of Interior, Tunji Ojo, has received commendations from Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre (UMEC) and Global Migration Research Institute (GMRI) for his recent initiatives in facilitating smoother passport issuance and improving correctional facilities in the country.
Speaking at a press briefing, yesterday in Abuja, GMRI President Dr. Williams Azuma Ijoma, said these developments are critical steps toward enhancing safety, security, and efficiency in migration processes.
Ijoma, while bemoaning the lengthy and cumbersome procedure for obtaining passports in the past, stressed that the recent upgrades in technology and administrative efficiency must be applauded.
However, he cautioned Nigerians against media trail against the Interior Minister, adding that the panel set-up by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should be allowed to duly investigate the matter in order to allow justice prevail.
He further urged the Minister not to be deterred in his passion to drive necessary developmental initiatives in the country.
His words: “Our agencies the Universal Immigration Enlightenment Centre, UMEC, and Global Migration Research Institute is a non governmental organization which is monitoring and keeping tab on the performance of some Honorable Ministers in line with the renewed hope agenda of Tinubu’s administration.
“We humbly submit that after a thorough and careful monitoring of the activities of the ministers, one notable action that we need to commend is the way and manner the Honorable Minister of Interior, Mr Tunji Ojo, handled the procurement and issuance of Nigerian passports.
“The minister did not only fast track the process of acquiring the Nigerian passport but has become automated which everything is now online, and within two or three weeks the passport is ready for collection. We are witnesses to the rigorous, energy sapping and frustrating experience in the process.
“Some Nigerians in diaspora have been victims of the slow and corruption induced system of the old days. This new initiative by the Honorable Minister of Interior, Mr. Tunji Ojo, is worth celebrating and commendable.
“We urge him to continue with this feat already achieved despite the distractions going on. We call on Nigerians to give peace a chance and allow the ministers to concentrate and execute their tasks in their efforts to bring Nigeria back to reckoning.
“Similarly, we must also commend the Honorable Minister for his laudable programs in the correctional facilities all over the country.
“There is an improvement in the welfare of inmates unlike before. It will be noted that all these good initiatives will attract a lot of smacks and tend to slow down the pace of work in the ministry.
“I am calling on Nigerians to allow the Minister to perform without unnecessary distractions, so as to bring about the much needed social economic development programs for the overall benefits of Nigerians.
“I commend the commander in chief Asiwaju Bola Tinubu GCFR for the measures taken so far to curb corruption and the panel setup to unravel the financial mess. Let’s allow the panel to work and conclude it tasks before taking blames.
“Enough is enough. It is time to all the ministers to breathe in order to improve and enhance the living standard of citizens.
“Against this background, we shall help to undertake trainings on enhancing the performance of all appointed political office holders towards actualising the eight points renewed the hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu GCFR at the national, state and local levels.”
SUN NEWS
