…TUNJI-OJO: Era of scarcity of Nigerian passport/booklet gone, declines comments on his redeployment as Journalists celebrate his achievements
By Dele Ogbodo/Seun Adams
Following disclosure by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, SA on Media and Communications to President Bola Tinubu of an imminent cabinet shakeup, EXTRAORDINAIRE.COM, can authoritatively disclose that Ministers especially those who have not lived up to expectation of the President’s Renewed Hope mantra have been gripped with fear tsunamis.
Fielding questions from the Media over the weekend, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior whom the media have associated as a visionary strategist and altering the old narratives in the Ministry, however declined to comment on whether he will still replicate the same magic and riveting transformations that Ministry has witnessed in the last 365 days if deployed to another Ministry.
Tunji-Ojo, acclaimed to have developed the game changer appetite in President Tinubu’s cabinet raised hope on the availability of booklets for Nigerian passport even as he asserted that the era of scarcity of Nigerian passport is gone.
Still answering questions on his one year in office from journalists across media platforms in Abuja, he said: “It is not true that there is scarcity of passport in any of our Nigeria Immigration Office (NIS) office nationwide.
That information is not true, as a matter of fact and even as we speak now, NIS more than 80,000 passport in store as yesterday and I can assure you that once our passport diminishes in number it is immediately replaced with another 100,000.
“GOD, has helped us to solve that problem unlike the era when there is scarcity. Our findings is that it is scarcity of passports in the past that breeds corruption. That era is gone.”
The Minister dismissed the insinuation that the company printing Nigeria passport booklet is based in the United Kingdom, adding that Nigeria is not indebted to the tune of N11 billion to any company in UK over passport production.
According to him, the NIS that prints and produces the Nigerian passport. However, he added that the booklet is supplied by a Nigerian company based in Abuja and owned by Nigerians.
“The issue that our passport is being printed in UK or London is not any way true.”
On insecurity, he said: “In addition, the NSCDC disrupted organised crime networks by destroying 150 illegal refineries and 64 illegal oil dumps.
“We have secured direct presidential approval for paramilitary service vacancies, eliminating the bureaucracy that had stifled progress and by so doing, achieved autonomy for the Board, securing the right to recruit its own staff which is an essential step toward building a stronger, more capable workforce.
“In our ongoing fight against vandalism and the protection of critical infrastructure, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been relentless.
“Over the past year, we arrested 2,254 vandals and oil bunkerers, with 550 currently under prosecution and 122 convictions already secured.
“In addition, the NSCDC disrupted organised crime networks by destroying 150 illegal refineries and 64 illegal oil dumps.”
He added: “It is with great pride and deep humility that I stand before you today to share the journey of transformation we have embarked upon over the past year at the Ministry of Interior.
“When I took on the responsibility as the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), I knew that the task ahead was immense.
“But I also knew that with determination, collaboration, and a clear vision, we could achieve what many thought impossible.
According to the Minister, in just one year, the Ministry has indeed made significant strides, according from day one, my focus was to break through the bottlenecks and inefficiencies that have plagued our institutions for decades.
“One of our first major achievements was completing long-overdue promotions within the promotion year, a feat that had not been accomplished in the 38-year history of the Board.
“This was more than just a process; it was about restoring faith, boosting morale, and ensuring that our officers feel valued and motivated to serve.
“Our work did not stop there. We introduced landmark policies such as a 35% recruitment quota for women across all services under our purview, promoting inclusivity and ensuring that the Ministry reflects the diversity of our nation.
“We also championed the welfare of our officers, securing group life insurance and pension benefits for them, an achievement that speaks to our commitment to those who put their lives on the line for the safety of this country.
“We have secured direct presidential approval for paramilitary service vacancies, eliminating the bureaucracy that had stifled progress and by so doing, achieved autonomy for the Board, securing the right to recruit its own staff which is an essential step toward building a stronger, more capable workforce.” He said.