Kunle Adelabu
The Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), has revealed that the community will be collaborating with the government in completing the passport office of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), in Igbogbo.
The project was facilitated around 2018, while the building for the passport office located behind the Mikky Onas Hall, around Ogunleye area of Igbogbo, was completed about two years ago, but has since been abandoned.
It was gathered that Rep. Babajimi Benson and the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegiun Kasali, played major roles in bringing the passport office to Igbogbo.
The recent development, which raise hope for not just the completion of the facility, but also commencement of operation soon, our reporter gathered, was the contact by the Vice Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Alhaji Sheriff Junaid, with the Assistant Controller General (ACG) who paid a visit to the Adeboruwa and his chiefs, and also visited the site of the passport office about two weeks ago, where he assured the community of quick intervention.
The policy of the new Controller General of the NIS to make passport office closer to the people also give so much hope that the facility will be operational soon.
It was also gathered that the top echelon of the NIS, has also deliberated on the report on the state of the facility, and requested for the collaboration of Igbogbo community.
Engr. Lateef Oduntan, General Secretary, IDEA, speaking on the current state of facility, disclosed that the passport office will take – off soon with the readiness of the Igbogbo community to partner with the government in completing the project and ensuring its conducive take – off and smooth running.
“At the moment, IDEA has cleared the place and the Igbogbo community is preparing to put in place some facilities for quick take – off of operations”, he said.
“The place was bushy until recently when it was cleared after the visit of the Nigerian Immigration Service. It was Alhaji Sheriff Junaid, the Vice Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, that saw the Assistant Controller General of the Immigration Service who happens to be his good friend. It was this cordiality that made Alhaji Jinadu facilitated the visit of the Assistant (ACG) Controller General to the Kabiyesi and he was well received on the day.
“The Igbogbo office also happened to be under the ACG operational area, but prior to now, he was not involved in it because it was Lagos formation that was controlling here.
“When the team toured the facility, it was discovered that the building was virtually completed except for furniture and other things and they asked us to collaborate with the government as our community involvement, and we agreed to do the needful and we, as a community, is ready to provide some of the immediate needs required to make the place operational”, he said.
The IDEA Secretary emphasized the community’s readiness to see the passport office commence operations and serve the people in the community and environs.
“I am sure that the place will be operational very soon, because we are very eager. Even our people overseas are also interested in it. It’s a matter of putting resources together to provide necessary facilities and we expect the government as well to play its part”, he said.
“The community is ready to collaborate with the government in completing the facility and it will be operational very soon. More so, I heard that the present Controller – General is very interested in bringing the passport office closer to the people. I heard him in the news when he assumed office. We are all eager and I hope that very soon, it will materialize”
Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Kasali, also speaking with THE IMPACT, confirmed the new development, and expressed his desire to see that the facility is operational soon.
He thanked the representative of Ikorodu Federal Representatives, Rep. Babajimi Benson and a Director in the federal service, for the project.
