By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
Islamic groups, Nigeria Islamic Clerics Forum and Women in Islam Foundation have commended the Interior Minister, Mr Olubummi Tunji-Ojo for the reforms, innovation, ease of processing and collection of E-Passports during the Hajj Operations.
According to the Islamic groups, the removal of what they termed the bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with the issuance of international e-passport to applicants has helped Muslims willing to perform the Hajj get their passports within short space of time.
The commendations were contained in a six-point communique issued after an Islamic Conference held in Kaduna to discuss the Muslim Communities and Hajj Operations in Nigeria.
In the communique signed by the convener of the Conference, Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Mohammed and Mal. Shehu Lawal Danbatta, the Nigeria Islamic Community Fora acknowledged that unveiling of additional enhanced e-Passport facilities at selected Nigerian Embassies in Europe paved way for the smooth preparation of many pilgrims for this year’s hajj as they were able to obtain their e-passports just within 24 hours of applying for the important document
While noting that the enhanced E-Passport has solved the challenge of long queue up with nationals of other countries at immigration posts of Nigerian airports and seaports, the groups said the improvement in the e-passport issuance would go a long way in safeguarding applicants from falling prey to swindlers.
The communique further reads: “That the Islamic groups during the conference observed that the e-passport complied with all standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation ,which has positioned Nigeria as the first country in Africa and the fifth worldwide to embrace the technological achievement .
“That we expressed satisfaction over the frustrating process for applicants who have to wait a long time before getting their e-passports that has now been eliminated and era of touts taking advantage of applicants’ vexation gone.
“That we described the ability of the Ministry of Interior to quickly process applications and promptly issue Nigerians with passports as one of the commendable achievements recorded by this administration.”
While stating that the Minister of Interior ,Olubummi Tunji-Ojo has been able to address the problem that remained unsolved for over 5 decades, they reiterated, “the introduction of E-Passport will help in easing the administrative bottleneck usual experienced during Hajj Operations with Nigerians residing abroad able to get passports with 48 hours of application”.
Speaking on issue of economic hardship suring the conference, the Coordinator of Women in Islam Foundation,Hajiya Maryam Isa Mohammed commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the release of grains during the month of Ramadan.
On issue of E-Passport, she noted that the facilities inaugurated at the Nigerian Embassies have not only reduced processing delays,but has also emphasized the dedication of President Bola Tinubu’s government to citizens’ diplomacy and the enhancement of services to the diaspora community.
Adding that the new passport processing centres helped to streamline passport processing and acquisition for Nigerians residing in the diaspora
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