- In a widely-circulated interview, Nigerian politician Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo expressed his dismay at the alarmingly low levels of professionalism exhibited by officers in the Nigeria Immigration Service.
- Pointing to a specific incident, he recounted the time when he caught an Immigration Officer watching BBNaija while foreign visitors waited in line at the airport.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, revealed how he caught an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) watching Big Brother Naija reality TV show instead of screening foreign passengers at an undisclosed airport.
Tunji-Ojo dropped this bombshell during a scorching interview on Human Rights Radio, famously dubbed ‘Brekete Family’.
In a video that gained widespread attention, the minister recounted how he stumbled upon the officer as they returned to the country from an overseas journey.
He disclosed that this unidentified officer was watching the reality TV show, rather than tending to passengers seeking visa on arrival to the country.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the necessity for enhanced service quality and efficiency within the NIS, particularly when dealing with foreign visitors who have the potential to boost the nation’s economy.
He urged for a united effort among stakeholders to enhance the country’s reputation on the global stage, acknowledging that achieving the desired transformation requires collective action rather than relying solely on individual efforts.
His words;
“Anybody that’s entering Nigeria, the way our people will talk to you is no longer like before. Just two weeks ago I came in from Italy, and as I was coming out, they came and welcomed me and wanted to carry my bag but I said no.
“I told them not to call their colleagues and that they should return to their duty post where they call for a visa on arrival. The plan that President Tinubu has, if all of us join hands, this country will be better.
“One person cannot bring change, all of us must change Nigeria. So, when I got there to see what they’re doing, because they didn’t know I was coming, I saw people waiting in the queue, people that wanted to collect visas, and foreigners that wanted to enter Nigeria were not being attended to.
“I walked to the place because I appeared casual and I didn’t go with any convoy escorts. When I got there, I looked at the computer, the officer was supposed to give people visas, what I saw was Big Brother Naija. Immediately, I told the officer to leave, since you like the air conditioner at the airport, they will redeploy you to another place.
“I know what the president tasked the ministers with. He said we must be briefing him on everything we are doing and how we achieve them because he wants the country to be better. How do you explain keeping foreigners that brought money to spend in our country? You kept them waiting while you watched BBNaija with the computer the government bought for you to do its work.”
WATCH HIM SPEAK BELOW
Discussion about this post