From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Controller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, has read the riot act to State Controllers and officers to immediately root out corrupt elements in the paramilitary agency.
She gave the directive in her remarks at the opening ceremony of a two-day sensitisation workshop for the senior officers on building a value culture in the agency held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Expressing concern over the rising rate of some officers soliciting gratification, taking bribes, and even being intoxicated while on duty, the CGIS stressed that the actions are capable of betraying public trust on the service.
Nandap also emphasised that recent events of some officers soliciting gratification and taking bribes have cast a dark shadow on the reputation of the agency, adding that it is imperative that the leadership of the sercice take collective responsibility to restore the honour and uphold the trust placed in them.
She said: “We gather today at a critical juncture in our service’s history, where the fabric of our integrity is threatened by the actions of a few. Recent events have cast a dark shadow on our reputation, and it is imperative that we take collective responsibility to restore our honour and uphold the trust placed in us.
“The footage of some officers soliciting gratification, taking bribes, and even being intoxicated while on duty is a stark reminder of the menace of corruption that threatens to consume us. These actions not only betray the trust of the public but also undermine our very purpose as guardians of our nation’s borders and protectors of its citizens.
“We must acknowledge that corruption is a hydra-headed monster that can only be defeated through a collective effort. It is our responsibility to identify and root out the corrupt elements within our ranks, and to create a culture of accountability, transparency, and zero tolerance for corruption,” she appealed.
Charging the participating officers further, the CGIS said: “Recently, the Nigerian Immigration Service conducted a nationwide campaign to mitigate corruption and improve service delivery. These sustained efforts are geared towards ensuring accountability, transparency, and a culture of excellence in our operations.”
“As we begin this workshop on Mitigating Corruption, Inproving Service Delivery, and Ethical Compliance, I urge you all to reflect on the oath we swore to uphold. At the heart of our service are the core values of: integrity, dscipline, professionalism, customer service, patriotism, excellence, confidentiality, teamwork.
“These values are the foundation upon which our service is built, and this campaign intends to reiterate and promote them. We must recognise that our role is not just to enforce laws but to serve as ambassadors of Nigeria. Our conduct must reflect these values.
“I pledge to lead by example, and I expect the same commitment from each of you. Together, we can mitigate corruption, improve our service delivery, and restore the dignity of our service. Let us rise to this challenge, and may our collective efforts be the catalyst for a new era of excellence in the NIS,” she appealed.