ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu has charged the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to investigate and prosecute Mrs.Favour Igiebor for allegedly tore her husband’s International Passport in line with the Agency’s national identity project campaign, especially as it relates to the National symbols.
Recall that Mrs Igiebor reportedly tore her husband’s International Passport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to the statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press, Paul Odenyi, the NOA Boss said Mrs Igiebor’s action constitute an affront against the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stressing that NIS should prosecute such breach in line with section 10 (B) of the Immigration Act, 2015 as a deterrence to those who may willfully damage an important national symbol as the International Passport.
“The International passport issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service is the property of the Federal government and no person who has the privilege of owning one should abuse or even damage them under whatever guise. What the lady has done is a grievous assault to our collective asset and dent on the symbol of our identity as a nation.” He said.
Mallam Issa- Onilu also appealed to citizens to continue to show respect for the National Symbols as part of our patriotic commitment to national development saying the NOA as the custodian of these symbols will continue to promote their use and integrity.
He however stressed that the incident calls for increased public enlightenment and awareness campaigns by all Nigerians on the National Symbols and the importance of it in the country.
The passport is one of the core national symbols that are enshrined in the nation’s ordinance as patriotic icon representing countries for which its derives its identity especially among nations.
