The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Isah Idris, has approved the appointment of a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, Tony Akuneme, as the new Service Public Relations Officer.
Akuneme replaces DCI Amos Okpu who has since proceeded on retirement after 35 years of meritorious service to the nation, The PUNCH reports.
DCI Akuneme hails from Imo State. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He also holds a Master’s Degree in International Law from the University of Lagos and a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the same Institution.
In a statement acquired by our correspondent, the NIS noted that Akuneme brings to the Service Public Relations Department, 29 years of broad and extensive experience in border security and migration management.
It added that he has attended various courses within and outside the country, including the Superintendent Basic Course at the Immigration Training School, Kano.
The statement reads, “Throughout his career in the NIS, he has served in various capacities. With a well-established track record of achievements in Public Relations, he was in 2015, seconded to the office of the Minister of State for Education as Special Assistant on Media, a position he held till 2019.
“He has previously served in various formations at home and abroad. He was Deputy Zonal PRO Zone A, Lagos from 1995 to 2005, PRO, Akwa Ibom State Command, from 2005 to 2008, Deputy Service PRO from 2008 to 2011 and Immigration Attache, Nigeria High Commission Canada from 2011 to 2014.
“Until his recent appointment, he was the Head of the Immigration Desk, Nigeria Diaspora Commission. DCI Akuneme has since assumed duty as the Public Relations officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service.”