Officers and friends of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday gathered for a special valedictory session to honour the retiring Lagos passports chief, Comptroller Anne Agbim.
She is bowing out of service after 35 years of “meritorious and unblemished” service to the nation.
Agbim became the comptroller, Passport Command, Lagos on July 3, 2019.
She joined the NIS in 1985 and has served in several states, including Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Sokoto, Ogun, Kano and Seme Border Command.
Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Mohammed Babandede, at the valedictory service held in Lagos described her as “wisdom personified official that served in NIS without any blemish”.
According to Babandede, Agbim was committed to work and never compromised the values of the service.
Babandede, who was represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) in charge of Zone A, Mohammed Alfa, urged other officers to imbibe the good legacies left behind by Agbim, by displaying good work ethics.
He noted that many officials might not be able to stand boldly or have valedictory session held for them in the way the service did for Agbim.
“I plead with all officials to learn from what is happening today. Agbim is getting NIS honours today because her performance is superb,” Babandede said.
“She ensured that the activities of touts, all forms of indiscipline and sharp practices in Passport commands were stopped.”
Also, the Passport Control Officer (PCO) in charge of Ikoyi Passport Office, Manir Yari, commended the outgoing passport boss for giving Lagos command a good image.
According to Yari, Agbim rendered all necessary support to Ikoyi Passport Office to enable it to migrate to the new non-tearable system that was launched by President Mohammadu Buhari in 2019.
Similarly, the Comptroller of Immigration Service (CIS) in charge of Seme border patrol, Lawrence Akpobi, commended Agbim for emphasising the importance of tenacity in NIS job.
“We are very proud to associate with you,” Akpobi said.
Agbim, in her vote of thanks, commended Babandede for repositioning NIS for maximum performance.
“I am humbled to have served 35 years meritoriously in NIS, these years have been the best of my life.
“I have been trained, enjoyed loyalty and collaborations. The CGI remains my mentor. I thank him so much for giving me the opportunity to serve. He has invested in all of us and taken Immigration Service to greater heights. His rise to the top is a testimony that God is great,” she said.
