The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has tasked its officers and men to be professional and dedicated to the service of the nation.

The Assistant Comptroller-General of NIS in-charge of Zone G, Benin, Mrs. Justina Ahmadu, gave the charge on Sunday during the send-off ceremony of the outgoing Comptroller of NIS, Enugu State Command, Mr. Sam Chinda.

Ahmadu noted that professionalism was the hallmark of NIS, adding that Nigerians were not expecting anything below professionalism and satisfactory service from them.

“As an officer under the immigration service, you must strive to learn and know your job very well and execute it professionally and satisfactorily to members of the public.

“The NIS had gone through lots of transformation, which has placed high professional standard on its officers and men.

“So, the service will continue to ensure that standards set are maintained and even improved on,” she said.

The NIS zonal boss, however, commended Chinda for being a shining example of a professional with dedication while in service.

“I have known Chinda for over two decades now; he is always passionate about the NIS job. He is a highly cultured and mannered person as well,” she said.

Earlier in a goodwill message, the Deputy Comptroller of NIS, Mr. Paul Enekila, said that Chinda’s retirement would be felt by officers and men of the command due to his fatherly approach to issues.

Enekila, who spoke on behalf of staff of NIS Enugu State Command, thanked God for Chinda’s successes at the command and how he had united the entire command in love and for all to pursue one purpose – delivering quality service.

“It is sad that we will miss your fatherly guidance and love that you radiate to everyone that comes in contact with you,” he said.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Suleiman Balarabe, said that he had known Chinda to be forthright on issues as well as being punctual in every joint security meeting in the state.

Balarabe, who spoke on behalf of all security and para-military heads in the state, said the outgoing comptroller had cooperated with heads of security formations especially the police in sharing intelligence for the greater benefit of the state.

“Our brother and friend, we wish you more good health and success in any endeavour you find yourself in your retirement,” he said.

In a valedictory speech, Chinda noted that he had repositioned the 17 Council Area Offices of NIS in the state as well as established a good working relationship of NIS with associations of foreign nationals in Enugu State.

He noted that with the help of the NIS headquarters, he was able to increase the operational vehicles of the command from one to six as well as a brand new bus the state government donated to the command recently.

“I have unified the officers and men and checked rumour-mongering and gossip, which most times weaken the spirit of team-work and hard work.

“I made punctuality and proper dressing a must for all officers and men under the Command as well as eradicated nepotism in the discharge of official duty,” he said.

The outgoing comptroller thanked officers and men for their gift of love and cooperation with him while he led the command.

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