The Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York has revealed that it is making efforts to enrol Nigerians under its jurisdiction for the National Identification Number (NIN) in line with Federal Government’s directive.
The Consul-General, Amb. Lot Egopija, made this known at a hybrid Town Hall meeting that recently took place at Nigeria House in New York for Nigerians within the jurisdiction.
While making the disclosure, Egopija said the Consulate had gotten a directive from the headquarters (Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to enroll Nigerians.
He said the Consulate would soon finalize arrangements with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
He made it known that the Consulate had upgraded services in the areas of passport delivery, passport issuance, and processing of passport and visa documents.
He said: “We have been able to reduce the waiting hours and we have removed our nationals from the street. Before now, we used to have our nationals loitering around the building.
“But we have created a holding room to accommodate our nationals and give them a new lease of life whereby they feel they belong to Nigeria House.
“We have also improved our consular services in the area of dissemination of information through upgrading our website and making it more friendly.
“Also, we have opened a WhatsApp platform to disseminate information to all the members of associations registered with the Consulate to ensure timely communication.”
Egopija said the Consulate was collaborating with Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) to procure sufficient passport booklets to satisfy the need of Nigerians in New York.
He said the office had ameliorated its mailing services and was liaising with a telephone company in a bid to reconfigure a direct phone line in a way that any Nigerian could call and receive immediate answer.
He explained that the Consulate would soon embark on cultural diplomacy targeted at promoting Nigeria’s image by organising cultural shows, saying “we need to export our culture”.
