By TUNDE FAGBENLE (TF)
For the cynic out there, let me quickly assure that this is NOT propaganda of any sort; for those who know me, I always “say it the way it is”!
Got a call from England, my wife has been rushed by ambulance to an hospital. She’s had a partial stroke or the like. Though forsworn against further overseas travel I had to dust my passport and figure how fast I could get out to be by her.
Then, lo and behold, my Nigerian passport had expired 4 days ago on 14th December. The devil is a liar, as Pentecostal Christians are wont to say! First thing I did was to send an SMS to the Honourable Minister of Interior under whose purview is the immigration service (for passport & other matters). Yes, an admission is necessary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is my friend and brother long before he even became governor, etc. But there was no knowing how quickly he will get my message or respond. It is a Friday and the only day available if I was to make a flight over the weekend or by Monday at the latest.
I headed out as early as 8am for the Passport Office in Ibadan where I live, not sure what will happen but determined that if I failed to get my passport renewed that day it would not be for want of trying!
And we come to the crux of the story. I demanded to see the overall boss. Sorry, not around. Okay, may I see the next to him or her? Sorry, not yet in. Okay, and the next, please? Wondering who this desperate old man was (yes, my white beards proclaim my years!), I was led to the office of a Mrs Lawal.
Before we go any further, let me disabuse the mind of those who may associate my “fortune” to my former public image. Years after my column was rested, that image is rightly long forgotten.
And I did nothing to remind anyone; it would be indecent to do so. I invoked no name and attempted no inducement of any sort beyond stating the truth of my circumstance: I woke up to find my passport expired a few days ago and I have an emergency to be in England for my ailing wife.
For those who know, the hitherto image of the Passport Office anywhere in Nigeria or even at our embassies abroad is one of a dreadful place to be.
But, lo and behold, this Mrs. Lawal of an officer sprung to action after assuring herself of the verity of my story, summoning a subordinate or another and instructing that the process of getting my passport renewed be commenced immediately while awaiting the arrival of their overall boss whose final approval was necessary. Again, I repeat, I did not for one moment introduce myself by my past or present, or relationships.
The fear still lurked in my mind, of not getting through in one day, on a Friday for that matter when government offices break for Muslim prayers and thereafter oft put an end to any meaningful working day!
As midday approached, I got more agitated then decided to go see the overall boss myself as I had noticed the stirring of staff suggesting he was around. It must be said that it is not the common thing in Nigeria to be able to see the Oga-patapata _anyhow_ or _haka-kawoi_ as the Hausa would say. But it won’t be for want of trying on my part.
Another surprise. The officers in his ante-room greeted me most courteously and indicated I could knock on the door and go in. Haka-kawoi? And then there was the Chief Passport Officer himself, a Mallam Shinkafi. Smart and genial, he offered me a seat and water even though he had two other visitors before him.
“But your matter is already receiving attention,” he said, wondering why I still needed to see him. “I am desperate sir, and as it is Friday I don’t want to take any risk,” I said.
“But whoever gave you the impression that getting a passport renewed is a wait-and-get thing” he asked but with a kind face. He then asked me to go and come back at 2pm when the Sallah prayers are over. I did as was instructed and, lo and behold, my new passport was waiting for to be collected!
Now to the second leg of my long story.
A bit long on getting home, at about 4pm came a call from the Honourable Minister, Ogbeni Rauf himself. “Sorry I’m just seeing your message. How sad about your wife, I pray she gets better. As for the passport, I’ve sent your number to the CG (Comptroller General of Immigration) and asked him to call you immediately. Expect his call.” He dropped the phone, Rauf would brook no prolonged talk.
I wanted to tell him not to worry again, that I had helped myself and now I’m in proud possession of a new passport – without pulling any strings! Within a minute of him dropping the phone came the call from the CG himself. “Hello sir, I am Babandede the CG. The honourable minister told me to call you about your passport. You are in Ibadan, right?” “Oh thank you sir,” I said, “so kind of you, but I went by your Ibadan office and I am pleasantly surprised at the reception I got by your officers. My passport has been renewed sir.” “Oh, that is good,” he said, “I’m glad.”
I then told him how impressed I am by the general attitude and dutifulness of the staff, a clean break from the past. “Thank you, please let the minister know,” he ended.
Though belated, but the stepping in to action by our energetic and enigmatic Ogbeni made me proud. Our folks in “high places”, especially from the southern part of Nigeria, don’t make such moves.
At best, they’ll give the assignment to their assistant to see to who may delay or even ‘forget’! Our folks don’t understand the good uses (not abuses) of power like my northern brethren do. Get the CG himself to call me? Whao, Rauf made me proud and makes the Yoruba proud.
Postscript:
Nothing I have said here suggests this is what one would experience in any other Passport Office in Nigeria. If it is, I salute Ogbeni Rauf and his team that has brought about this new improved performance level. A cheering service and leadership paradigm.
Fagbenle, a former columnist, lives in Ibadan
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