BLEAK FUTURE OF NIS AFTER JERE’S REIGN

BLEAK FUTURE OF NIS AFTER JERE’S REIGN

…..How nepotism favor acting Comptroller General

By Our Correspondent

The much awaiting time to end former President Muhamadu Buhari administration has come to an end after relinquishing power to president Tinubu, whose election is one of the worst ever conducted in the history of Nigeria due to the alleged massive malpractices, vote-buying amongst numerous ground to cancel the election if thoroughly accessed. This election translate a pure step to what many pundits believed would remain the best cover  to the failed Buhari-led government that negatively affect the lives of the populace who supported and patiently waited for the government for eight years of empty promised. 

The Buhari outgone government  handed over a seemingly dead government to a person who nurtured his ambition to be the president of Nigeria for donkey years, Mr. Tinubu, a pure- lagos born Yoruba opportune to be the leader of the country in one of the most controversial way, his emergence and declaration by INEC gingered the eye-service underperformed ministers of Buhari began lobbying from Lagosian to kith and kins of the president  and to his fellow tribesmen, typical of that  is the appointment of Wura-ola Caroline Adepoju as first female acting immigration comptroller General  (NIS) following the expiration of the immediate comptroller general Isa Jere, who undoubtedly performed well through multiple drives that change the narrative of the service in terms of securing the national territorial boundaries, introduction of Digital service to eased the passport renewal/fresh application to a more functional institution that earn him multiple extension by former president Buhari  to continue.  This was done by the president and in accordance with the constitutional provision of the country. All of a sudden, the embattled former minister of interior Rauf Mr. Aregbesola solely before leaving office on Monday 29th May, 2023 through the Board coordinating civil defense, Correctional, Fire and immigration services, appointed Adepoju, former deputy general of the NIS  as the new service head, disclosed in a released on Tuesday barely less than 24 hours to her stay in public service as enshrined in the constitution publically  announced by Akinwale Dennis. 

Some members of the Civil Defense, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) have faulted the appointment of DCG Adepoju Carol Wuro-Ola as the acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) 24 hours to her retirement, which has exceeded to date because of the unholy arrangement planned by the minister whose tenure was allegedly characterized by corruption and nepotism to favor the Yoruba’s mindful of the constitutional rectitude. 

Prior to this various civil society organizations, individuals and concern citizens openly expressed their displeasure on the Ex-minister who prefers discrimination not matter whose ox will be gored. Sadiq Mohamed, a member of the civil society organization said “ if board go ahead to extend tenure of someone that has initial less than 72 hour away from the time of her elevation just to please president Tinubu and his allies without looking at the prejudice to the national interest which is above everything, then Nigerians are in big trouble. DCG WURA ADEPOJU is not an exceptional person in the service that would be retain for ego as hundreds of junior and senior staff are in the queue to offer their contribution to the development of the country. If she over stays in the capacity, I bet you she will worsen everything the way Aregebesola dent the image of the NIS, she is bereave of ideas and a nepotic like the ex-minister. The few periods of her acting capacity signals incompetency and a             vengeance-like approach in the leadership. 

So the best thing, if she is Godly, she should vacate the office for those that  have more time in the service to overhaul the entire system for good, because we can’t  afford any cut and nail style of leadership in the name of tenure extension to favor any ethnic group. Does it mean we don’t have any competent ACG In the service even from the Yoruba or Igbo to be appointed CG except Mrs Adekpo? if yes let president Tinubu appoint from among the ACGs or DCGs to save Nigeria from the catastrophic plan of Aregbesola, he set up a trap to befall on innocent patriots and it shall not go well for him after vacating office as the worst interior minister produced in the country.   

Similarly, the board members, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said at no point did the board meet to appoint DCG Wuro-Ola as the acting CGI of NIS.

The board members accused the immediate past Minister of Interior Mr Rauf Aregbesola of unilaterally making the appointment because she is a fellow tribe woman, Born in Ondo state on 13/07/1963. The acting DCG Wuro-Ola with number, 8384, is due to retire on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 having clocked 35 years in service which she joined 31/05/1988 to date.

Her appointment letter dated May 26, 2023 and signed by the secretary of the board, Ja’afaru Ahmed, reads: “I write to convey approval of the Chairman of the Board for you to cover duties of the Office of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as the most senior Deputy Comptroller General (DCG). See the list of current 2023 retirement list including the acting CG, as well as letter from the Immigration Services Board authorized by by the office of the secretary  with the reference number: CDCFIB/APPPT.CGz&DCG/61/VOL.IV/97. 

You are enjoined to bring to bear your wealth of experience on the job as well as Consolidate on the ongoing transformation of the Service.”

Efforts to get the former minister of interior, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Mr Shuaibu Belgore and the Secretary of CDCFIB Mr Ahmed for comments proved abortive.

What many Nigerians who supported emergence of Tinubu is whether his government would do the needful to change the narrative of the institution compounded with numerous challenges Nigerians persistently experience and the relinquishing of the fellow tribe women to allow other deserving officers who has more time in the scheme to help in developing the country which is greater than individuals, lying emphasis on those that have more time to contribute not like the incumbent who is on unconstitutional staying in office,  constituted authorities should hurriedly arrest her for over staying.