By Kayode Bello
Despite nationwide complaints about international passport issuance in the country, observations have revealed that the Ibadan office of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has been prioritizing the indigent, disabled and aged applicants.
Our correspondent that went to the Ibadan Immigration Office observed a situation where an Immigration Superior Officer attended to the elderly and challenged applicants who could not navigte well the Immigration process.
Also, it was observed that the Superior Officer followed one of the challenged applicants to where he could receive attention for passport issuance.
As a daily routine, the Superior Officer would always conduct a check round the Immigration Office, ensuring all were going as planned, this medium could confirm.
Except for hitches regarding the Natonal Identity Number (NIN) linkage with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) portal at the Immigration Office in Ibadan, there was orderliness in the conduct of affairs at the Ibadan Immigration office.
At the entrance of the Immigration Office, there are Immigration officers ensuring smooth exit and entry of applicants and callers at the NIS, Ibadan.
A newly built two-storey building houses the NIS Comptroller and other Immigration Officers, as sheds are provided for applicants awaiting capturing and International Passport collection.
Notable are that there are different types of Passport obtainable.
First is the ECOWAS ( Economic Community of West African States) passport which is a travelling document unanimously adopted by the economic community of the west African states in their efforts to promote the intersate integration of member states , and allowing stay in the country for a period of ninety days without obtaining any other permits, as published on Finelib.com, an online information medium, titled, ” How To Obtain ECOWAS Passport In Nigeria.”
Other different kinds of Passport are Diplomatic Passport ( Red Cover) which is a type of passport that is reserved solely for the highly placed in the society such as the government officials in the country or those representing Nigeria in various capabilities outside the country.
Requirements for Diplomatic Passport are approval from the Presidency, Local Government letter of identification, birth certificate or age declaration, two recent colour passport photographs, Guarantor’s form sworn to before a Commissioner of Oaths , Magistrate/High Court Judge, and the Marriage Certificate where applicable.
Additionally, there is an official passport (Blue Cover) which is a standard e-passport issued to the Nigerian citizens intending to travel to countries of the world being a valid means of Identification.
Other forms of passport in Nigeria are Standard Passport ( Green Cover), Pilgrims Passport that has varied Colour yearly, Seaman’s Book (Certificate of Identity).
It should be noted that the requirements for the issuance of the Passports should be forwarded to the NIS office in a state, except that the requirements for the diplomatic visa should be forwarded to the Office of the Comptroller General Nigeria Immigration Headquarters in Abuja, as published on Finelib.com.
