Tunji-Ojo receives commendations for transformational impact on homeland security

By Ukpono Ukpong

The Mandate Defenders, a non-governmental organization focused on promoting youth empowerment, quality education, and good governance, has lauded the efforts of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in transforming the ministry and improving Nigeria’s internal security.

The group praised the minister’s work in reshaping key institutions under the Federal Ministry of Interior, describing him as the “star boy” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking through a statement signed by the National Convener, Danielson Akpan, the Mandate Defenders expressed satisfaction with the strides made by the minister since his appointment.

“We, at the Mandate Defenders view the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as the star boy of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration,” Akpan stated, noting that the minister’s energetic leadership has reinvigorated the ministry.

According to Akpan, President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Tunji-Ojo from the House of Representatives was driven by a vision of change.

“At the beginning of the administration when President Tinubu decided to pull Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo from the House of Representatives and named him a member of the Federal Executive Council, he may have seen what the energetic and vibrant Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was bringing to bear for his government,” Akpan noted.

Tunji-Ojo’s performance, Akpan continued, has surpassed expectations. “The Minister has not only lived up to expectations, he has proven beyond reasonable doubt that his desires for change are immeasurable,” he said.

While noting that their commendation was not an attempt to launder the minister’s image, but to acknowledge his accomplishments, he said that the Minister has not only lived up to expectations, but he has proven beyond reasonable doubt that his desires for change are immeasurable.

“The Mandate Defenders have identified several areas where Minister Tunji-Ojo has shown his capacity and capability, and this is not meant to launder the image of the ‘Star Boy’, an appellation he has earned for himself.”

One of the significant achievements highlighted by Mandate Defenders is the minister’s reforms in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

“For instance, at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), 4,508 personnel have been promoted to new ranks for efficiency, as well as the clearance of over 220,000 passport backlogs in less than one month into office,” Akpan said.

The group noted that accessing passports, once a source of national embarrassment, has now become streamlined and efficient.

In addition, Akpan praised the minister for redesigning the passport enrollment portal, making it a seamless, automated system accessible via mobile phones.

“He constituted a committee to redesign the visa enrollment process for short-stay visitors in line with the #RenewedHope Agenda, opening up the country for tourism and foreign investment,” Akpan remarked.

Tunji-Ojo’s focus on homeland security was also commended, with the minister’s commissioning of 30 new patrol vehicles for border security playing a key role.

Akpan emphasized that “the installation of e-Gate facilities at all international airports—Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano—underscores his desire to maintain homeland security.”

Beyond immigration, the Mandate Defenders acknowledged the minister’s contributions to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), citing the promotion of 21,385 personnel in 2023. The launch of surveillance vehicles and a new camouflage uniform for the NSCDC were also seen as moves that strengthened the corps.

Akpan also praised Tunji-Ojo’s efforts in education through the official groundbreaking ceremony for the CEDOWA Group of Schools, which aims to support the education of staff children. The minister’s commitment to the Safe Schools Initiative was highlighted as a key measure in ensuring the protection of education across the country.

On critical infrastructure, the establishment of “Power Rangers” to safeguard power installations and the launch of “Mining Marshals” to protect mining sites from vandalism were lauded as innovative steps. “One of our observations for commending the minister is the establishment of Power Rangers to protect power infrastructures nationwide,” Akpan said.

Mandate Defenders further applauded the minister’s efforts to reduce emergency response times within the Federal Fire Service (FFS). “Minister Tunji-Ojo is internal & homeland security personified, with the promotion of 1,680 Federal Fire Service personnel to new ranks and efforts to reduce response time to emergencies to below 15 minutes across the country,” Akpan stated.

Furthermore, the group pointed to the positive changes in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), where 4,498 personnel received promotions.

They noted that the decongestion of correctional facilities, facilitated by raising over N600 million to settle fines for over 4,000 inmates, could potentially save the government N1 billion in feeding costs annually.

While acknowledging that more could be said about the minister’s accomplishments, Akpan emphasized that Tunji-Ojo’s leadership offers hope for Nigerians amid economic challenges.

“Mandate Defenders can authoritatively say his actions have put smiles on the faces of those under his watch,” he concluded, expressing confidence that Nigerians can look forward to better days under the minister’s guidance.