NIS seeks NUJ collaboration to tackle immigration challenges
The Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has appealed for a better partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in a bid to tackle migration challenges in the state and the country effectively.
The Comptroller of Immigration Service, Cross River State Command, Simbabi Chris Baikie, gave the appeal when the newly inaugurated executives of the Cross River State Council of the NUJ paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Calabar recently.
He called on the media not to rescind its agenda-setting role to invoke the consciousness of Nigerians to the fact that security is everyone’s obligation.
Congratulating the new NUJ executives, the Comptroller expressed delight in Exco’s thoughtfulness in visiting the Command, emphasizing that “Immigration duties require the full cooperation of the media. We need you to assist us in effectively propagating issues, especially on migration and other immigration policies.”
Recounting the hitherto hospitable, mirthful, and peaceful reputation of Cross River, the NIS Comptroller, however, lamented the recent spate of security concerns bedeviling the State, reiterating that “the media has a wonderful assignment to set agenda for both the government and the governed to get things right in the country.”
He challenged journalists to carry out their legitimate business in absolute compliance with the ethical standards of their profession.
“We are statutorily expected to track and monitor activities of immigrants and expatriates in the country for the sake of national security. The NUJ as the umbrella body of media professionals must assist us in that direction,” the NIS official pleaded.
The Cross River NIS principal, who warned traditional leaders against the issuance of certificates of origin to non-Nigerians, also reminded citizens that “it is patriotic to inform the Immigration Service of questionable immigrants in their neighbourhoods to check cross-border migration.”
He urged the public to visit the NIS online platform to access other friendly ways of processing passports and other immigration services.
Earlier, the NUJ, Cross River State Council Chairman, Comrade Nsa Gill, assured the Command of his Union’s preparedness to collaborate with the NIS on possible ways of mutual benefit, while calling the NIS to keep its doors open to journalists at every beck and call to enable effective dissemination of immigration information for the betterment of the Service and the general public.
“Truth, accuracy, and objectivity are cornerstones of journalism ethics. This new leadership has zero tolerance for unethical practices and other improper behaviours. We will try our utmost to instill professionalism in our members,” the NUJ Chairman assured.
