Photo caption: Oyo state NIS comptroller M.T. Umar performing the foundation laying ceremony of passport office Ogbomoso on Friday July 21, 2023.
Passport office Ogbomoso – This’s when it’ll be ready
Enoch OYEDIBU
Barring any unforeseen circumstances the passport office Ogbomoso, Oyo state, will be ready in the next three to six months.
This assurance was given Friday at the foundation laying ceremony of the edifice to be used for accomodation of staff and equipment.
Recall that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) last year approved a passport office to a number of cities including Ogbomoso with a proviso that the beneficiary community provides the building.
Oyo and Ilesa (in Osun state) which also were allocated passport offices at about the same time as Ogbomoso had theirs commissioned by immediate past Minister for Interiors, Rauf Aregbesola, in the last days of former President Muhammed Buhari administration, while that of Ogbomoso which suffered avoidable delay is finally getting off the ground.
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Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony chairman of the building committee for the project Alhaji Monsur Ejide Lamidi expressed confident it would be completed in the next three to six months.
Popularly called Ejide, Alhaji Lamidi, who previously had donated 1, 000 bags of cement, disclosed, “This project is being enthusiastically supported and sponsored by Ogbomoso sons and daughters, volunteers committed to the progress of the city,” he said.
“Currently materials are on ground as you’ve all heard, what remains is for us to ensure all hands are on the deck. We need more volunteers and donors to hasten the project. It will not take more than six months when everything will be completed.”
M.T Umar, the Comptroller of Oyo state command of the NIS observed Ogbomoso should have had a passport office a long time ago.
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He noted this is because “the city is one with a lot of diasporans and with a passport office in thea city, whenever those traveling want to renew, or apply for a passport, it will be easy for them as it is at home.”
He added that the move to bring the passport office to Ogbomoso is in line with the current NIS administration’s vision which is to bring passport offices close to the people and make the process as seamless as possible.
President of Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye (the socio-cultural organization coordinating the construction), Justice Afolabi Adeniran (retd), expressed gratitude to the federal government for approving the office just as he thanked indigenes for donating resources, particularly Baale Pakiotan HRH James Oyetunji for donating land for the edifice.
“Let me apologise to the Nigeria immigration Service comptroller that this office should have been built a long time ago. We’re very sorry for the delay. We had some problems in securing a suitable land, of which Kabiyesi, Onipakiotan of Pakiotan came to our rescue,” he stated.
Affirming the three month time frame for the completion of the project, Engineer Christopher Olukayode Ogunrinde, the contractor, assured, “I am bold to say within the space of three months, it will be completed.”
Engr Ogunrinde stressed he was handling the project not for profit but as his own contribution to the progress of his community saying, “l will give my all to the project.”
He also harped, “We’ll tip workers which will serve as incentives though as l said it is more or less a volunteer assignment. But I am happy to work for the progress of my city.”
The programme was graced by many dignitaries, who all went home with renewed hope that the project is becoming a reality.
Aside Ejide insightonline.com reported that Prince Abisoye Oyewumi donated 10, 000 units of blocks towards the project.
