NIS Aligns With Digital Economy To Combat Fraud, Borderline Security Challenges
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, in company of his colleagues from Federal Ministry of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen and the Comptroller General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandede, today, joined President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR, to commission the state of the earth National Immigration Service Technology Building at the service Headquarters, Abuja.
The Honourable Minister was ably represented by the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, who is no less passionate about the creation of ecosystem that enhances innovation, entrepreneurship and digital economy.
The gigantic edifice, NIS Data Command and Control Center, was tastefully furnished with modern facilities and equipment has positioned the Nigeria Immigration Service to align with the transformation agenda and digital economy policy and strategy of President Buhari’s administration.
This project is a strategic move in line with the digital economy policy propagated by this administration to enable a digital technology that enhances the fight against fraudsters and borderline security challenges in the country.
In his welcoming address, the Controller General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, MFR, thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who joined the event virtually from the Council Chambers at the State House, Abuja. He also applauded the immense support received from President Buhari led administration towards the successful completion of the Technology Building.
“The unveiling of this building today provides a unique platform for security agencies in the country to truly synergies and harmonize efforts under one roof to address various national security concerns, using instrumentality of Information and Communication Technology” declared the CG.
He stated that the nature of the building with its robust infrastructure make it a great investment and a huge contribution to global security, particularly with effect of connectivity to special platform such as Interpol, International school of Aviation, PKG, and PKI data basis.
The CG also confirmed that, with the adoption of this digital transformation, both local and trans- national criminal activities can be easily monitored and nipped in the bud.
He continued by adding that the PKG, PKI, solution approved by Federal Executive Council, FEC, recently, would make gathering of information faster, optimize industry and international collaboration, drive better informed decisions and ultimately help improve travel experience.
The NIS CG further assured the global community that holders of Nigerian passport can no longer travel with lost, stolen or reissued passport. “This information is now available to Interpol and the COW member state. In the next few days Nigerians can use their passport in any airport that has eGates facilities throughout the world” he added confidently.
“As the technology hub of the service, the operation at the center would achieve seamless synchronization and real time sharing of virtual national security information, with relevant Government Agencies, with a view to enhancing operational efficiency and national security”, he argued.
He said with the data communications, control and command center, the NIS is able to deploy e-border capabilities to enhance border securities and mobility, as he proudly announced that the NIS has evolved into a world class migration agency.
Babandede commended the efforts of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbeshola in the actualization of the project which was approved by the Federal Representative Council (FEC) on the 1st of November, 2018.
He particularly commended the contributions of the project implementation committee which comprises of Agencies such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigeria Police Force, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Galaxy Backbone and other service providers. “Their various contributions assisted in achieving the realization and full automation of the system and operation of the building”, added the NIS CG.
The Minister of Interior and chief host of the event, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbeshola, in his speech titled “A new dawn in border management” confirmed that identity disguise is most nearly impossible with the new data control and command center.
“Having a central data base and data processing center provides access to information at the touch of a button. This makes it possible to monitor all entry and exit at our borders and have real time information on all immigrants”, ascertain the Minister.
He further explained that the development would have a great impact on the Nations security. “What we have in this context is the national command and control center for all data, coming from border management output” he added enthusiastically.
He concluded by expatiating on the advantages opened to Nigerians with the commissioning of the center stating that necessary technology are already deployed to the center that makes it possible to have real time information.
The center has the capacity to receive and give out still and motion photograph, and audio signals in real time, making coordinating seamlessly within our borders.