CGI Muhammad Babandede after being honoured with the Award. Photos: Samuel Torlumun
By Anthony Maliki, Samuel Torlumun
It was a plethora of encomiums when the immediate past Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, (CGI) Muhammad Babandede was aptly conferred with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in Abuja.
The Award, in an impressive ceremony attended by top dignitaries from across Nigeria, was conferred by the Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency (GOCMEJ).
The Award was bestowed on Babandede for his numerous contributions to the upliftment of the standards of the Nigeria Immigration Service even before he was appointed the CGI.
The former Immigration boss was described as a reformist, a visionary, team player and mentor of men and a man of destiny who is the first CGI to be formally Pulled-out after a meritorious service to the nation.
As the 16th CGI, Babandede built Nigerian Immigration Barracks, Command structures with social amenities, fire service command and station at the headquarters, graduated a lot of officers and men from Immigration Command and Staff College, Sokoto, checked irregular migration and enhanced coordination of operational activities along the border-states with state-of-art gadgets and information and technology equipment.
On January 15, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari was issued with a passport with 10 years validity, signaling the official take-off of the signature project for the Babandede-led NIS management.
Besides, the launch of the National Border Management Strategy 2019-2023 emerged as the game-changer as highlighted by analysts and critics alike, who critically reviewed the annual performances of NIS and gave them an excellent mark during the period.
During his leadership, Babandede also enhanced services, performance measurement and accountability resulting in the effective border security management, reducing Trafficking In Persons (TIP) and Smuggling Of Migrants (SOM) and administration and issuance of passports and other travel documents to meet international standards.
The former Immigration boss holds a degree in History and Islamic Studies and crown it with a Master Degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He also attended many Immigration courses both within and outside Nigeria and was instrumental to the establishment of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). He was honoured with the award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
In his speech, the President, Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency (GOCMEJ) Mr. Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele eulogizes the steadfastness of Babandede describing him as the digital CGI.
According to him, during his tenure as CGI, Babandede’s fame and image had spread far and wide through dint of hard work, vision and resilience.
There were also goodwill messages from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, (FFS), diplomats from the Ghanaian and Spanish embassies, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), traditional rulers, top business men and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) among others.
Highlight of the occasion was a presentation of the presentation of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” to CGI Babandede and a lavish dinner to crown the day.
