President Goodluck Jonathan has said the new e-passport has been designed to help address security challenges facing Nigeria and better conform with international best practices.
“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 can be able to get passport easily especially those living outside this country”, the Nigerian President said.
The introduction of the 64-page Nigerian e-passport, according to Goodluck, was a demand-driven initiative to meet the needs of frequent Nigerian travellers. ”The rationale behind the reform was to enhance the integrity of Nigerian travel documents and the image of the Nigerian traveller anywhere in the world.”
Goodluck also had a word for Nigerians and how they portray the country outside the shores of the country when he urged Nigerians to paint respectful pictures of their country so that others would see it in the same light.
The President then proceeded to be 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 and the President said he is hopeful that collectively Nigerians can help to create a brighter image for the country and save travellers the embarrassment they face while travelling abroad.
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