The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has appealed to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for timely processing of international passports for intending pilgrims ahead the Feb. 8 visa deadline.
The Director-General of the Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim-Matawalle, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to NIS Passport Control Office at Farm Centre in Kano on Tuesday.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Mr Sulaiman Dederi.
According to the statement, many intending pilgrims are yet to receive their international passports, with Hajj visa deadline is scheduled to close on Feb. 8.
“The board plans to introduce a special identification form to enable NIS officials to easily identify pilgrims whose passport applications require urgent attention,”he said.
Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration in charge of Passport Control Office, Farm Centre, Alhaji Aliyu Hamisu-Nguroje, assured the board of its commitment to meet the target date.
Hamisu-Nguroje welcome the propose introduction of a special identification form, describing it as a step that will strengthen cooperation and enhance effective service delivery between the two institutions.
