National News
Senior NIS Officers Wait on Tinubu for Retirement of Comptroller General
Senior NIS Officers Wait on Tinubu for Retirement of Comptroller General
By: Michael Mike
There is uneasy calm at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as officers of the Service wait on President Bola Tinubu’s directive to either extend the tenure of the Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap who was due to retire on October 10,2024 or appoint a new head.
Nandap was due to retire on October 10, 2024, having served 35 years in service.
This is according to documents obtained by our correspondent, which contain details of all officers in the service’s Comptroller cadre based on seniority.
Nandap’s statutory retirement is based on her Date of First Appointment, which falls on October 10, 1989. This marks the completion of her civil service term in line with public service rules, which peg the mandatory retirement age at 60 or 35 years in service, whichever comes first.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Nandap as CG of the Service on February 21, 2024. However, her appointment took effect from March 1, 2024, according to a statement by then-Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale.
“The President anticipates that the new Comptroller-General will deepen the ongoing reforms in the service and create a robust mechanism for efficient and dedicated service delivery to Nigerians, as well as strengthen the nation’s security through proactive and effective border security and migration management,” the statement read.
Nandap, with NIS number 9702, succeeded Mrs. Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, whose term in office elapsed on February 29, 2024, having turned 60. Before her appointment, she was the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of the service’s Migration Directorate.
However, the official document obtained showed that Nandap, born on June 3, 1966, was employed in the Service on October 10, 1989, and clocked retirement on October 10, 2024.
This was not the first time this type of infractions is happening in the NIS with one of such occurring in August, when there was disquiet in the Service over the promotion of an Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Garba Bello, who retired in June, to Deputy Comptroller of Immigration.
Senior officers who were not promoted in the exercise faulted Bello’s promotion and promised to petition President Tinubu over his recall from retirement.
Bello was born on June 3, 1964, enlisted in the service in 1990 and retired on June 3, 2024, having clocked 60 years.
As part of his retirement, the service management held a send-off for the former ACG in charge of investigation at the NIS headquarters in Abuja.
However, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board listed Bello as one of the ACGs elevated to DCG.
Other promoted ACGs besides Bello include Anietum Essien, Umanah James, Michael Dike, George Dikel, Tukur Umar, Afolayan Ayeni, and Usman Nagado.
A letter dated August 2, 2024, with the reference number NIS/HQADM/4193/II/204, announced that Bello and seven others were decorated that month.
In another letter dated September 23, the Board granted ‘Special Promotion’ to Mrs. Claris Nwadike, with Service number 9696.
It recommended that Claris and four others be promoted from Comptroller to Assistant Comptroller-General. She retired on October 10, 2024, just six days after her decoration.
The letter, with reference number CDCFIB/S.33/VOL.IV/57 was signed by Ja’afaru Ahmed, the Board’s secretary.
It read, “I write to forward herewith the list of officers granted Special Promotion under the Year 2024 Promotion Exercise.”
A source who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said only the board chairman, i.e. the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, possesses the powers to recommend a new candidate to the President for the position of Comptroller-General.
“The Minister of Interior chairs the board, and only he can recommend a new candidate when a CG retires,” the source explained.
In the past, former president Muhammadu Buhari twice extended the tenure of erstwhile immigration chief Jere Idris by one year and then, later, one month.
It would not be a surprise if NANDAP is not asked to retire from the service which may put a nail on the carrier progression of some senior officers.
Senior NIS Officers Wait on Tinubu for Retirement of Comptroller General
National News
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
•••Says 4500 Students Deployed In Varsities In Nigeria In 2025
By: Michael Mike
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is happy with the significant achievements recorded by the agency in the Niger Delta in about two years.
He spoke at the flag-off of the fourth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the agency in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday.
The PAP had in July and August 2025 successfully conducted a similar capacity-building workshop for three batches of its stakeholders at the same military facility.
Otuaro, who said the President is delighted with the agency’s expanded scholarship scheme, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta, urged stakeholders to maintain their position as key players in the region’s peace and development.
According to him, His Excellency, President Tinubu is very supportive of the programme because of his strong desire for the region to enjoy sustainable peace, stability and development.
He reiterated that the workshop is a vital component of the PAP’s peace process with all stakeholders as important partners in the peace initiative.
He stressed that the participants are not only partners for peace, but also the President’s peace ambassadors.
The PAP boss also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic support to strengthen the programme’s initiatives and enable it to achieve the intended objectives for the people of the region.
While declaring the workshop open, Otuaro said, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is very happy with what we have achieved so far in one year and nine months. As stakeholders, you should continue to be key players in the peace and development of the Niger Delta, which His Excellency has been very supportive of and desirous of.
“The objective behind this training is to ensure that all of us are partners in every peace effort in the Niger Delta. This initiative is also to give you a sense of belonging.
“When we organised this workshop in July and August this year, we assured stakeholders that more people would also participate in the training. We don’t want to do the PAP’s work alone. It is a process of putting our heads together to ensure that the region is peaceful and united. When we are united, Mr President will do more for the region.
“We must also realise that peace starts from our communities; you all are leaders in your own rights. I know and acknowledge the support that the Office has received since we came on board. This leadership workshop is part of our peacebuilding process and is designed to ensure that peace is sustained in our region.
“Since we came on board, we have redirected the Programme towards our people and for the next generation. We have achieved a lot. This 2025-2026 academic session, we have sent 4,500 students, our future leaders, on scholarships to universities within Nigeria. We are doing this to invest in the future of our region.”
Otuaro said that his leadership would not be distracted by the smear campaign of some anti-Niger Delta elements who were angry that the programme had been taken to the people of the region, saying “nobody will hold the region to ransom.”
He further urged stakeholders not to be manipulated by political merchants, but to massively support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because of his clear agenda for the region.
Otuaro enjoined the stakeholders to participate actively in the workshop and utilise the lessons they would gain to strengthen peace and development in their communities and the Niger Delta in general.
He also expressed appreciation to the management of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, resource persons, and the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor (retd.), for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peace process in the region.
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
National News
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
By: Michael Mike
The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.
The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.
He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).
He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).
Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).
The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.
Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
National News
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.
He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.
Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.
“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.
This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.
He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.
The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
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