The 16th Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, has pulled out of service.
The pull out ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Jigawa Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, Emr of Hadejia, HRH Adamu Abubakar Maje, among others.
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The outgoing CG thanked all those who made his time worthwhile.
“It is a great opportunity for me to stand before this beautiful gathering to make a remark on my successful exit from public service after an interesting sojourn. Looking back, particularly when I received my first letter of appointment in September 1985 (exactly 36 years ago), I have lost count of the privileges I continue to enjoy as a member of the NIS family.”
“My special gratitude is to Allah for a life well spent and for a peaceful existence, which is the prayer of every Chief Executive. I certainly cannot forget the greatest and brightest of them all which is my appointment as the 16th Comptroller General of Immigration Service on 15th May, 2016.
“After 5 years and 4 months as CEO of NIS, it is time to go home when the ovation is high. Thanks always go Allah for every unconceivable favour bestowed on me from the day I was born to the day I will die.
“So many people have influenced my career, many have died and some are seated right here. I always attribute my knowledge and skill to my former bosses the late Directors/CGIs of Immigration such Muhammadu Damulak, Sahabi Dange, Lady Nwizu and Alhaji Garba Abbas. I can’t forget the influence of CGs like Senator UK Umar, CJ Udeh, Lady Uzoma, RB Musa, David Paraddang and MK Abeshi.
“Most of them use to call me for challenging jobs. God knows such calls and entering their offices terrifies me. I am honoured that my picture will be hanging along with theirs in NIS headquarters forever.
“My special gratitude goes to General Abdulrahaman Dambazau who recommended my name to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for not only the good working relationship but for the recommendation Mr President, without me knowing, for a year extension which brought me to this time.
“After my appointment, we organized a strategic meeting in Kano where we developed a strategic plan. One of the issues identified was acute shortages of office and barracks accommodation in the system. A situation where some of our officers operated in deplorable environments, especially for an arms-bearing organization, was quite a challenge. We went into action and I had to promise that we shall build and commission at least two Command Building Complexes yearly. Thank goodness, we did not fail.
“The Sokoto State Command Office Complex commissioned two weeks ago was the 12th of such we built and delivered within the period of my stewardship. There are 8 command buildings at different stages of completion.
“We noticed gaps in the availability of operational documents in the system and we considered it less than appropriate. At the last count, we had delivered fourteen (14) operational texts (publications), including annual reports, which have remained consistent since 2016. Documents such as ‘The Nigeria Immigration Service Strategy, 2016 – 2019’ was the foundation of our reforms. The new curriculum for training institutions targeted personnel reform and ‘The Border Management Strategy: 2019 – 2023’, developed with the support of the EU under the supervision of IOM, will assist in border security, regional integration and tackling human rights issues, including corruption.”
Born November 21, 1963 in Malam Madori, Jigawa, Babandede attended Malam Madori Primary School (1969 – 1975), Government Secondary School, Rano; Bayero University, Kano (BUK) where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History and Islamic Studies in 1984.
He later obtained a Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
