In a bid to safeguard Oyo State from criminal activities and enhance the economic prosperity of people, Gov. Seyi Makinde has created an office of Migration and Homeland Security.
Mr Segun Adegoke, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Migration and Homeland Security, made this known on Tuesday in Ibadan during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adegoke, a retired Assistant Comptroller of Immigration was received by the state executives led by the Chairman, Chief Ademola Babalola.
The office of the Special Adviser, Migration and Homeland Security is an Oyo State Executive Office established by the governor in 2022.
NAN reports that the newly created office aims at providing professional service toward managing the inflow and outflow of people and products in the state.
Adegoke said that vision of the governor was to ensure sustainable development, adequate security and economic growth in the state as contained in his Omituntun 2.0 agenda.
He said that effort of the governor would foster synergy with critical stakeholders toward provision of database for the state.
The governor’s aide said that the office would serve as a One-Stop Shop, especially for the Diaspora indigenes to make the state attractive for investment.
“It will preserve and uphold the state’s prosperity and economic security. It will take proactive, rather than retroactive actions, by building information sharing partnership with the grassroots and other security agencies.
“Prepare for and protect the state against security threats and other hazards such as natural or man-made disasters, as well as public health emergencies.
“It will serve as liaison with Oyo State indigenes, home and Diaspora, to access economic opportunities for the development of the state through tourism and foreign direct investment,” he said.
Adegoke, also said that the office would assist the government to regulate mining and other mineral exploitation activities in the state.
He said that such would be done through strict implementation of relevant provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
The governor’s aide said that the office would liaise with foreign embassies and High Commissions in Nigeria to promote regular migrations, while harnessing opportunities for indigenes of the state.
Adegoke said that the effort would ensure environmental security and the need for the state environmental sustainability criteria.
He said that the office would establish Oyo State Advisory Committee on Nigerian Citizenship for security and increase in the internally generated revenue of the state.
Adegoke said that such would be achieved through the processing of application and payment for Citizenship by naturalisation, Special Immigration Status (SIS) by foreigners resident in the state.
He, also said that the office would be able to expand opportunities for indigenes of the state through African Continental Trade Area (AfCTA), which has potential to increase employment opportunities and incomes.
“Trade involves movement of persons and goods. The introduction of the ‘African passport’ by African Union, with its attendant benefits, which will eventually be adopted by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Oyo State should cue into the processes of the implementation of the AfCTA, with the office of Migration and Homeland Security as the driving force,” he said.
Adegoke sought the partnership of the media toward creating awareness and enlightening the public on the benefits accruable to state through the newly created office.
He assured the people of effective and efficient service delivery, saying that technical professional services would be explored for optimal job performance,
Responding, Babalola promised the readiness of the union to be a partner in progress for the newly created office.
He lauded the initiative of the governor for creating the office, saying that the appointment of Adegoke to coordinate the office was a highly commendable.
The chairman called on people and other critical stakeholders to support the governor in achieving the set goals of the initiative. (NAN)
