ASSISTANT COMPTROLLER OF IMMIGRATION AND PASSPORT CONTROL OFFICER: ACI A ABDULLAHI- MIDAS ENVIABLE QUALITY
ASSISTANT COMPTROLLER OF IMMIGRATION AND PASSPORT CONTROL OFFICER, BENIN CITY – ACI A ABDULLAHI
MIDAS ENVIABLE QUALITY
Edo State Passport Office of the Nigeria Immigration Service has over time been blessed by capable Passport Control Officers to steer the affairs of the Passport Office that dubbed the heartbeat of the foremost illegal immigrant. This is supposedly so considering the vitality of Edo State being the highest travelling mainstay of Nigeria which commands about 70% of the Nation’s crime on human trafficking, which automatically attracts its attendants negatively in terms of increased rate of illegitimate immigrants by dubious citizens who are poised to shortchange government for the ultimate purpose to enrich themselves through several antics. Some of their pranks range from undervaluation which means travelling on illegal process, others found wanting for false declaration which does not correlate with the requirements of the Nigeria Immigration Services.
Furthermore, some indulge in the illicit import of offensive items such as human trafficking, banned medicaments, arm and ammunition that could threatened the fabrics of the Nation’s existence for their selfish personal gains and this poses huge challenge to Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria at large.
Today, we played memorable host to an Immigration guru in the like of Assistant Comptroller of Immigration – ACI A Abdullahi; who currently presides as the Passport Control Officer, Edo State, Benin City.
having investigated directly from e-Passport applicants and as well witnessed by “The Forward News Media” Publisher Miss Vivien Okafor.
ACI Abdullahi is a well tutored,mannered and humble person. He is highly disciplined, dedicated, revered, detest compromise and prejudice in carrying out his obligations.
A special gift to the Nigeria Immigration Service. To everybody, he is a motivating force because he always demonstrates his love and service to humanity (man and country). An articulate personality, and a highly enthusiastic Passport Control Officer who have used all the knowledge acquired to effect lives positively both in Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria at large. People in one way or the other have benefited from the liberal and selfless services rendered by this amiable man who has metamorphosed into a colossus.
His eloquent candor is always on display when burning issues are at stake. One thing you can talk about ACI Abdullahi is that he is a man of equity, justice, hospitality, and fair play.
He is a man who has actively served in various capacities (such as Border Corp, Border Patrol, Airport surveillance just to mention but a few) in the Nigeria Immigration Service and has contributed immensely towards the development of the Service and the country at large.
ACI Abdullahi’s strong belief in Allah’s perfect will and guidance successfully seen him through in whatever he does. An icon of hard work and enthusiasm with a compassionate spirit.
When people or Officers of proven mettle are placed in the position of authority, a lot behooves on them as their managerial prowess is pushed to the forefront. For a competent and dynamic officer of Immigration Assistant Comptroller of Immigration ACI Abdullahi, it has been an illustrious period serving in various Immigration Formations and Commands.
ACI Abdullahi hails from Katsina State where he attended Teachers’ College after his primary school education and Federal College of Education before he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where he obtained his Bachelor Degree in Guidance and Counseling.
Having undergone his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), he enlisted into the Nigeria immigration service in 1992, participated in Nigeria Immigration Training School, Kano (ITSK) in 1993. Upon the completion of his training, he was posted to Dole-Kaina Border Post in Kebbi State where he started his career.
His next posting was Kano State Command where he served in the Passport Office at the Local Government level in line with the ECOWAS treaty and Service directive – for identification and registration of migrants. From there, he served in Delta State between 1996-1998, and thereafter, Rivers State as he gained admiration of all and sundry. This exposure availed him the opportunity to work across the country.
ACI Abdullahi is a crusader of people’s right. This gallant Passport Officer is a man of integrity, an intellectual to the core, a leader who never leaves any stone unturned rather footprints which posterity will rejoice for, all to the glory of Allah and service to humanity. As a peace loving man, he maintains a cordial relationship with anyone who comes around him.
His open door policy and approachable nature cannot be undermined. Officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, e-Passport applicants and member of the general public can testify of his humane and unbiased ways of treating people, files and due process.
ACI Abdullahi’s adherence and compliance to Service delivery in line with production timeline for the enhanced e-Passport is unwavering – 3 weeks for reissue applications and 6-weeks for fresh applications from their date of biometric capturing. Through his tenure, service delivery has being taken to a greater level. Applicants are being attended to a first-come-first serve basis.
The ministerial order on passport issuance administration reforms has been strictly adhered to. A big banner is placed outside the entrance of the office for every applicant to have access to the prices of their application. He has severally enforced the printing of flyers to educate applicants on what to do even before applying for passport, how the public should go about their NIN.
When ACI Abdullahi took over office on the 11th of March 2022, he inherited a backlog of about fifteen thousand (15,000) e-Passport applications from August 2021. But with frantic efforts from the Headquarters, they have being able to offset almost up to March, 2022 and also issue more than ten thousand (10,000). They hope to settle the remaining backlog in the coming days as the Passport Officer has always been traveling to Abuja to see the best he can do.
The importance of the enhanced e-Passport has made issuance of passport smooth and easy as the introduction of biometric appointment date and production timeline has taken care of it. The enhanced e-Passport unveil in Edo State Passport Office from inception as The Forward News Media and her Correspondence witnessed the huge amount of booklets that are awaiting the applicant for collection as the Passports are currently produced by Edo Passport Office.
Before the issuance of the Passport, the applicants gets a notification alert indicating that the passport is ready for collection thereby preventing the applicants from calling anybody for an assistance.
Nigeria Immigration Service, Edo State Passport Office, Benin City has over time been facing serious hurdles of office accommodation as the accommodation is very small for the throng of applicants they have on daily basis.
ACI Abdulahi is dedicated Muslim, a philanthropist, happily married and blessed with beautiful children.
- 1st From the left is the Publisher miss vivien Okafor, 2nd from the left is ACI. A Abdullahi, PCO, Edo State Passport office NIS Benin City, 3rd is the 2ic CSI. M Danesi, 4th and 5th are part of the Correspondences of The Forward News Media
Sir, do you think that the enhanced e-Passport that is being rolled out on the 22nd of June 2022 will eradicate backlog?
The introduction of biometric appointment date and production timeline on the enhanced e-Passport has taken care of that.
What legacy would you leave behind in passport office?
My ambition is to do my very best in Nigeria Immigration Service especially in Passport Office, Benin.One of my major landmark is the installations of two (2) extra acquisition and an extra issuance systems to ease the rush and time wasted by our applicants and members of the general public.
What else do you want government to support with, in other to deliver your core mandates?
Our major setback are Office accommodation and power. If sorted, it will help us serve the public better.
