Muhammed Babandede, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has retired.
Gatekeepers News reports that Babandede who was appointed the NIS CG on May 2016, retired after spending 36 years in service. During his tenure as the 16th Comptroller General, Babandede introduced many reforms in the Service with the digitalisation of activities, decentralisation of passports issuance and introduction of the Visa on Arrival policy.
On Friday, while speaking at the valedictory session which was organised his honour, Babandede said; “I have left Immigration better than I found it.”
He said: “Today is independence day for me; independence because it has been a difficult time. My wife will keep saying ‘will you die working?’ My wife keeps saying, ‘you keep working even in the night’.
“Immigration has changed, but I didn’t change it alone. Immigration has improved; I didn’t improve it alone. Immigration has become digital; I didn’t digitalise it alone. I did it together with all of you, the team. I commend you very well. Whatever reward I get goes to all of you also.”
Babandede appealed to officers not to “throw away the ideas we stand for”.
“Please, I am going; don’t throw away the ideas we started. Physically, I am not around, but keep the good things. Change the bad things; amend it, but always do it through concession. All the things I have done, I have done it by having a process,” he said.
“I will also like to appreciate the Spanish government. I know the Spanish government gave me an honour — the highest medal in Spain. I am yet to take it, but I look forward to taking it. Thank you so much for that honour given to me.
“I spent 36 years. I should be grateful to God. I have spent five years and four months as comptroller-general, so I cannot abandon my baby. Immigration is my baby; it will not be abandoned. I am proud to say I have left immigration better than I found it.”
Gatekeepers News reports that the deputy comptroller-general in charge of finance and accounts, Idris Isah Jere is expected to take over in acting capacity until President Muhammadu Buhari appoints a substantive CG.
