By Ademola Ade
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ogun State Command, and the of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, have pledged stronger collaboration to promote security, combat misinformation and improve public awareness of immigration-related issues.
The commitment was made on Tuesday when the chapel’s executive members paid a courtesy visit to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
The Comptroller of Immigration in Ogun State, Ganiyu Oladele Olubunmi, described the media as a critical partner in communicating the Service’s policies, operations and public sensitisation campaigns.
“NIS and the media are partners in progress. We are a service provider, and for all these services, there must be a channel. That is where journalists come in,” he said.
Olubunmi said collaboration with journalists was essential to bridging information gaps on immigration procedures, border management and efforts to combat transnational crimes.
He assured the delegation of the command’s readiness to provide information and maintain an open channel of communication with journalists.
“We cannot do it alone, and we would like this collaboration to continue. My doors are open for any inquiries in Ogun State,” he said.
The comptroller identified irregular migration, human trafficking and other migration-related challenges as key areas requiring sustained public enlightenment, particularly in border communities and urban centres.
He stressed that media support was necessary to extend the reach of awareness campaigns and help residents understand the dangers of unlawful migration and cross-border activities.
“We also engage in sensitisation on irregular migration, human trafficking, and others. All these awareness cannot be effective without the media,” he added.
Earlier, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Yetunde Fatungase, commended the NIS for its contributions to border protection, migration management and national security.
Fatungase said journalists had a responsibility to ensure accurate reporting of immigration policies, procedures and regulations in ways the public could easily understand.
She called for a structured information-sharing arrangement between the command and journalists, proposing regular media briefings, designated public relations contacts and prompt responses to press inquiries.
The chapel chairman also reaffirmed the journalists’ commitment to ethical journalism, fact-checking and balanced reporting, noting that effective engagement with security agencies would help counter misinformation and improve public understanding of immigration regulations.
Both parties expressed their commitment to strengthening communication and cooperation in support of public safety and effective immigration management in Ogun State.
