Frequent traveller? Get a special passport!

Lagos - Government has launched a new enlarged passport President Goodluck Jonathan said would cater for the needs of frequent travelers and ensure conformity with international best practices.

Jonathan said the e-document will minimize the use of fraudulent travel documents.

He said the Nigerians abroad would get their passports with ease, and making the immigration function effectively.

“One thing one must know today is that it is not the issue of 64-page passport that is key to Nigerians but the security. If our passport could be easily faked by criminals, then we will have problems. One thing again is how Nigerians are able to get passports easily especially those living outside this country,” said Jonathan.

He urged the Nigerian Immigration officials to improve on their services to visitors and travellers at the airports, as they represent the first image of the country.

The President noted that if the immigration officers conducted themselves poorly, it reflected on the country, as their conduct at the airports were key and not just the passports.

“What affects every traveler is how efficient and committed our immigration officers work at our airports, visitors that come into the country have different impressions about our immigration officers, so they must improve. They are the image of this country, how they handle visitors matters so much, if they conduct themselves poorly, it reflects on all of us, so their conduct at the airports are key besides the passport,” he said.

The President also had a word for Nigerians and how they portray the country outside the shores.

He urged Nigerians to paint respectful pictures of their country so that others would see it in the same light.

The President is the first citizen to get the e-passport followed by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, as they got captured by the Immigration officials.

The e-passport takes off from August 1.

The President expressed optimism that collectively, Nigerians could help create a brighter image for the country, and save travelers the embarrassment they face while traveling abroad. 

– CAJ News

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