Re: Hon (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Summoned By The President, H. E Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo |
"After the launching, the Honourable Minister had scheduled to see the President today, 9 January 2024 to brief him on the outcome of the E-Passport launch." Bish Johnson.
"It is therefore deceitful and mischievous at the very best for anyone to report that the Minister's visit today has anything to do with the case involving the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu."
The essence of responsible journalism is to inform and educate the general public about activities and programs of government, and events happening in our society. However, to properly educate and inform the masses, a journalist report must be based on the facts of the matter.
For avoidance of doubt, Hon (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Honourable Minister of Interior was at the State House today, 9 January 2024 to honor a previously scheduled meeting with the President, H. E Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the successful launching of Nigerian E-Passport by his ministry. The Minister was there to brief the President about the program.
It is therefore sad to read this afternoon from some quarters of the media, social and conventional that the Honourable Minister was summoned to the State House by the President and those who reported on the matter never deemed it necessary to hear from the Honourable Minister himself.
Yes, we must not tolerate abuse of office in our society and we must hold those who abuse public office in which they hold in trust for the people accountable, however we must also ensure that the innocent is spared.
It can be recalled that the Minister of Interior, yesterday, Monday, 8 January 2024, in Abuja launched the first online portal for passport application in Nigeria. He had previously on Friday, 5 January 2024 in the company of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Caroline Adepoju demonstrated how the online portal is designed to function.
According to Tunji-Ojo, an online passport application platform has been established for both international and Nigerian applicants. The Minister had announced in December last year that the Federal Government was working to ensure a full automation system of passport application in the country.
He had also stated that Nigerian applicants who want 32-page passports with five-year validity would pay N25,000, while those who want 64-page passports with a 10-year validity would pay N70,000.
Meanwhile, foreign applicants, who wish to apply for passports with a five-year validity period and 32 pages, will pay $130, while those who prefer passports with a 10-year validity period and 64 pages will pay $230. Candidates must submit their applications at https://passport.immigration.gov.ng.
Dignitaries who graced the launching event included the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; representative of the International Organisation for Migration, Stephen Matete; Country Manager, Development Alternatives Incorporated, Joe Abah; Founder, Kwandala Foundation, Tijjani Musa and the Co-founder, Technext, David Afolayan.
After the launching, the Honourable Minister had scheduled to see the President today, 9 January 2024 to brief him on the outcome of the E-Passport launch. It is therefore deceitful and mischievous at the very best for anyone to report that the Minister's visit today has anything to do with the case involving the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu.
Capt Bish C. Johnson (SW/AW) US Army rtd,
Social Commentator and Crusader.
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