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Tag: Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

  • Airlines airlifting passengers without entry visas to be sanctioned – Tunji-Ojo

    Airlines airlifting passengers without entry visas to be sanctioned – Tunji-Ojo

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has said that airlines airlifting passengers into Nigeria without a valid entry visa, landing and exit cards will be penalised.

    Tunji-Ojo made the remarks at a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme on the implementation of the E-Visa, Landing and Exit Cards on Friday in Lagos.

    According to the minister, Nigeria is not a testing ground and no foreigner should be allowed entry without a visa.

    He said that although Nigeria was making entry more accessible with the introduction of the E-Visa, it would not compromise on national security.

    He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the enlightenment and enforcement of its oversight function as a regulator to ensure that airlines adhere to the 2025 Nigeria Visa Policy.

    Tunji-Ojo tasked airlines on national security, stating that the E-Visa was of national interest to improve border security, tourism and sustainable economic growth.

    “I plead with the NCAA to regulate, that is why this meeting is a strategic collaborative effort of the ministry, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the NCAA.

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    “For the airlines, I know you are here to do business but you also have a responsibility in terms of national interest and security.

    “Before anybody comes to Nigeria, please see their visas, not proof of payment or their tickets.

    “It is not acceptable in the UK, US, Canada and other climes and it will not be acceptable in Nigeria anymore,” he added.

    Speaking on the ease of applying for the E-Visa and Landing and Exit cards, Tunji-Ojo said that it was necessary for the purpose of opening Nigeria’s frontiers to investors.

    He disclosed that as of May 22nd, the NIS had received a total of 5,814 applications, approved 5,671, rejected 66 and queried 62 applications since the introduction of E-Visa on May 1.

    According to him, the E-Visa process would improve the database of the NIS with information of travellers.

    He explained the features of the E-Visa, the Landing and Exit cards with a barcode

    “That you applied for a Nigerian visa does not mean you will have the visa, you will need to meet certain criteria for the visa to be issued” he added.

    The Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo in his welcome address said that the introduction of the e-Visa and the associated Landing and Exit card systems was a milestone.

    Najomo said that was a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards enhancing air travel facilitation while ensuring the highest standards of aviation security and operational efficiency are maintained.

  • Tunji-Ojo inaugurates 39 operational vehicles, five guard booths for correctional service

    Tunji-Ojo inaugurates 39 operational vehicles, five guard booths for correctional service

    The federal government has inaugurated 39 Operational Vehicles and five bullet resistance Guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, at its headquarters in Abuja.

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo performed the inauguration of the Operational Vehicles and the Guardbooths in Abuja.

    The inauguration was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services, Maj Gen A M Jibril (rtd), and Representatives of the Chairman Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Chairman of House Committee on Interior, Hon Chinedu Ogah.

    Others at the event are the Acting Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, NIS Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap and the Representatives of the Commandant General of NSCDC and Federal Fire Service, FFS.

    Speaking at the event, the Minister said the Operational Vehicles would be distributed to some of the 256 Correctional facilities across the country, while the Guardbooths would be mounted at the Headquarters of NCoS, the Kuje Custodial Centre, Portharcourt Custodial Centre, Kano Custodial Centre and Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Lagos.

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    Dr Tunji-Ojo said the equipment is part of the comprehensive reformatory policy of the present administration to change the narratives of the Correctional Service, asserting that President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment in no small measures to the welfare of inmates and para-military officers and men in the country.

    Tunji-Ojo said no administration in Nigeria has demonstrated commitment and given much attention to the NCoS like President Tinubu, emphasising that recently the President approved the establishment of a Para-military Academy for the Para-military institutions in the country.

    Tunji-Ojo said: “President Bola Tinubu has done so much in terms of the welfare of inmates and officers and men of Nigeria Para-military Services. In less than two years in office, the administration has promoted over 50,000 personnel. Now, the government has commenced work on the 2025 promotion…and by March, it will be announced.

    “All backlogs of promotions in the Para-military Services have been cleared and the era of career stagnation has ended. The ongoing expansion of structures of the Correctional facilities across the country is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.

    “There are 256 Correctional facilities across the country. The Suleja medium security custodial was established as far back as 1914, and urbanisation has caught up with many of the custodial centres. So there are plans to relocate 29 out of the 256 Custodial Centres in the country.

    “President Bola Tinubu inherited some of these liabilities and he is not running away from addressing the challenges. For instance, the Agodi Ibadan custodial centre, Ikoyi maximum security custodial centre, Enugu custodial centre, Akwa Ibom and Suleja custodial centres would be relocated because urbanisation has caught up with them.”

    The Minister said the reformation, rehabilitation and transformation of the NCoS would be pursued with vigour by the present administration, and praised President Tinubu for approving all memos regarding the Para-military Services.

    While the Minister urged the personnel of the Para-military Services to show patriotism and discipline regarding their commitment to duty, he said the facilities provided are meant to ward off internal threats and aggression for Nigeria’s internal security and peace.

    The Acting Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche said the operational vehicles would be distributed across the country to support the movements of inmates and those awaiting trials from Courts back to the custodial centres.

    According to Nwakuche, there are currently 80,066 inmates in all the 256 custodial centres, regretting that 53, 225 of them are those awaiting trials.

    He said the acquisition of the vehicles and other equipment confirmed the commitment of the present administration to raise the standards of professionalism in the Service and ensure that everything done for the service is in tandem with global standards and practices. 

  • FG approves recruitment of 50 doctors, 100 nurses for Correctional Centres

    FG approves recruitment of 50 doctors, 100 nurses for Correctional Centres

    The Federal Government has approved the employment of 50 doctors and 100 nurses to address shortage of medical personnel in correctional centres across the country.

    The Ministry of Interior has also secured a presidential approval for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to post medical doctors to correctional centres during the service year.

    The Nation gathered in Abuja that the development would allow inmates have access to medical treatment in Correctional centres. 

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed when the Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Malam Ali Mohammed Ali and his management team visited him  in Abuja. 

    According to the Media aide to the Minister, Mr Alao Babatunde, the Minister also announced the approval of the extension of service beyond retirement age for existing medical personnel under the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to cover for shortfalls in the short term.

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    He said in a statement that the recruitment exercise would opportunities for employment of Nigerian doctors and nurses for the Correctional Service as it would become a continuous exercise. 

    Tunji-Ojo said the renovation of the Kuje Correctional Centre has been completed, noting that the facility has experienced a facelift from what it used to be into a befitting edifice.

    “It is entirely new; from the cells to the water supply, to the hospital, amongst others, as we are making sure Mr. President’s magnanimity is felt across all areas. 

    “For the President, it is about building a system that will stand the test of time, as he is not just providing short-term solutions to long-term problems.

    ” He is not providing long-term solutions to short-term problems, but providing short-term solutions to short-term problems and long-term solutions to long-term problems, which is encouraging,” the Minister stated. The Minister also hinted that plans are underway for the establishment of a paramilitary academy in the country. 

    “We need a degree-awarding institution, like the Nigerian Defence Academy, that will train young persons after securing admissions through the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    “When they come out, they come out as officers, properly trained to contribute their quota to national security,” he said. 

    On visa issuance, the Minister noted that the process is taking a new dimension, adding that all Nigerian visas will now be applied for online and processed (approved or rejected) within 48 to 72 hours.

    On the security of lives and property, the Minister reiterated government efforts in sanitising the Private Guard sector.

    “We are ensuring that the sector is structurally built in such a way that it can add value to the security architecture of the country. We are in the process of deploying what we call the Guard Management System for the automation of processes along that line,” he said.

    The Minister acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Ministry, saying that without his approvals the ministry would not have done so much.