Immigration Service seeks media support to tackle challenges

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says media support is needed for the service to be proactive in its efforts to tackle challenges ahead.

The Comptroller-General (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, stated this at a workshop for the service's image makers holding in Lagos, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

While declaring the three-day programme open, he stressed the need for training and re-training to tackle challenges ahead and achieve its mandate.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the C-G was represented by ACG, Musa Maza, Zonal Coordinator, zone A Lagos.

``I have always said it that remove training and retraining exercise for security agents, there is no guarantee for a safe world. ``

Babandede while commending the UNODC for assisting in capacity building of officers, said ``we still require more support for the task ahead.

``If there is any agency that would remain ever relevant to the NIS in the area of migration management, it is the UNODC, `` he said.

Many of the officers observed that the transformation had been slow and that there was an urgent need to embrace new approach for the needed synergy between the service and the media.

They believed that through media support NIS could tackle the migrant challenges and cross border crimes.

Also speaking, UNODC Country Representative, Cristina Albertin, said this was the third training session for immigration officers at a time.

``We are daily exposed to an overwhelming amount of news relating to migration related to conflict, civil unrest and natural disasters.

``It is now 10 years now that the UNODC was entrusted by its member states to assist in building and strengthening capacity to deal with smuggling of migrants and human trafficking as forms of organised crime.

``I am happy to report that Nigeria has ratified this convention and has consequently adopted two laws that define human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in line with the convention act,`` she said.

According to her, interactions and workshops will continue in enforcing and supporting policies and programmes of the agency.

NAN also reports that no fewer than 50 immigration officers in the public relations unit of the service are attending the workshop.