By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Group, Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has thrown their weight behind the Minister of interior Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, urging him to remain focussed and disregard any form of distractions, describing him as one of the shining lights of the present administration.
Recalled that President Tinubu had reportedly summons the Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo to Aso Rock over his alleged involvement in the controversial N438 million contract scandal which led to suspension of Humanitarian affairs Minister Beta Edu.
CNF, in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna noted that “Nigeria has been historically bedeviled by a laborious and time-wasting passport application process that has become a cesspool of corruption for some individuals to greedily fill their pockets while Nigerians lament.
The statement signed by forum’s Secretary, Amodu D. Philip added that “Thus, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo’s stride at modernizing and digitalizing our passport application process is a step in the right direction.
“His commitment to keeping with his promise is also to be commended. The honourable minister, on assuming office gave a time frame and calendar for when his reforms will start taking place and he has kept to this time set excellently.
“In a country where we have been accustomed to promise and fail leadership, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji Ojo has shown himself as a rare breed and trailblazer, a young mind whose energetic, focused and patriotism to the nation is admirable”, it stated.
It further stated that “As a progressive organisation committed to our dear nation’s development, a better life and stable economy, translating to a better livelihood to all citizenry”,, the CNF, in it’s wisdom noted that the some if the offences of Interior Minister “Clearance of 204,332 passport backlogs and over 50,000 new passports in three weeks.
“Clearance of 2.5 million NiN modification backlogs. Prison Decongestion: Release of 4,068 inmates; comprising persons sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with the option of fine and compensation in custodial status nationwide. N585M was raised by corporate bodies as Corporate Social Responsibility for that purpose.
Others include “Re-Launching Safe School Initiative. Improved emergency and fire Response time by commissioning new fire engines and rapid intervention vehicles.
“Establishment of enhanced e-passport facilities at select Nigerian Embassies in Italy, Spain, Greece, Austria and Switzerland.
“Making passport applications and collection processes easier and faster. Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo chaired the 5th Meeting of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).
“The board approved the promotion of 4498 personnel from the Nigerian Correctional Service, 4598 from the Nigeria Immigration Service, 1680 from Federal Fire Service, and 21385 from Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, totaling 32,361 personnel across board, this is not just commendable but a landmark achievement that has not been recorded in a while.
“Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo commissioned the Arrival “E” of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, and moved to commission the remodeled main entrance/exit gate and Quarter Guard at the Zone ‘A’ Headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Ikeja, Lagos State”, the forum stated.
According to CNF, while they would also want to reemphasize that Minister Ojo’s efforts in the Ministry of Interior should be evaluated independently of any associations or companies he might be affiliated with, in adherence to the principle of corporate personality, “We wish to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving us BTO to champion your #RenewedHope Agenda.
“We would support any willing Nigerian devoted and committed to advancing the course of Nigeria and Nigerians. #RenewedHopeWith BTO”. End
