Comments ranging from the sarcastic to the acerbic, have continued to trail a post by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on X, the social media platform formerly called Twitter.
The post has to do with immigration officials in Osun state warmly welcoming and attending to Adedeji Adeleke, dad of superstar singer and afrobeats crooner, David Adeleke, who is popularly known by his stage name ‘Davido’.
“Earlier today, Elder Adedeji Adeleke (@davido’s dad) was at our Osun State Command (Passport Office) for his capturing. He was warmly received by Comptroller Bolu Bewaji,” the post reads, with high-resolution images to boot.
Some X users have taken to the comment section of the tweet to ask why they or their own dads do not get a similar treatment when they throng passport offices across the land to renew, apply for, or retrieve passports.
“Great! However, it is not fair how common Nigerians are treated most especially at the passport services centre in Lagos. I mean since May 16th 2023, when I had myself captured my passport is yet ready,” wrote Yomi Fawale @yomiyoyo26.
@Otunbalarry1 He will have his passport ready in less than a week ooo. While people like us that captured since May we’ve been hearing no booklet no booklet in this same Oshogbo…. scam people. Tueh
@HakunaOyinz For sure his passport would be ready within 24hrs but other ordinary citizens would’ve to wait for 12 months
@Atariajanaku2 Is that Davido’s dad in the caption really necessary? It shows you are looking at the personality before doing your job. The institution should be bigger than any personality.
@Iamdjice1 I believe his passport won’t take up to 24 hours and it will be taken to him by Controller Bolu Bewaji.. But when it comes to us common Nigerians, 6months 😂😂😂
@ghost20232512 I was there yesterday, why una no post me?
@Official_Isaaco Does the controller receive others like this?
@A_Blackwoman So your officers can smile like this during capturing? Interesting
The passport application, renewal or retrieval process in Nigeria is typically ponderous and chaotic, amid promises by successive administrations and immigration bosses to make it faster and less bureaucratic.
Promises to address booklet shortages have also remained just that.
In August, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the new minister of interior, charged officials to ensure that Nigerians no longer queue endlessly for travel passports.
“The time of talks is gone. So, keep your talk. Let us discuss solutions,” Tunji-Ojo had said.
“Nigerians should not have to queue endlessly to get passports. No, this must stop. This is not the Nigeria of our dreams. I need to know the challenges the agency is facing.”