By OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO
Nigeria Immigration Service  NIS has assured the state government and residents that NIS will ensure tight security at all the Lagos borders and also appealed to the state government to include same in the weekly Wednesday’s State Security Council meeting.

This came even as Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday inaugurated a 19- man Lagos Innovation Advisory Council to drive the state’s economic advancement.

NIS state Controller, Mr. Abass Ahmed, gave the assurance on yesterday when he led a delegation of his officers on a courtesy visit to Fashola in his Alausa office.

He said, “We are security conscious, and we are on top of security challenges; please consider us as a worthy partner and part of your state security council meetings; the way we handle security is quite different from the way soldiers or Police would handle it, even though we work towards same goal that is safeguarding the state from threat.”

While commending Fashola for the existing cooperation with the NIS, he argued that while the Police settle for ordinary crimes, “We are known for handling state crimes, especially those that affect the integrity of the country; such as terrorism.”

Fashola in his response commended the effort of NIS boss in the state saying;“It is a good thing, as a matter of fact commendable that you are able to achieve the creation of additional office;but a difficulty of Nigeria in seeing through dream to reality, is abig challenge,but you conceived and hatched it, I congratulate you.”

According to him, Immigration service is the most strategically poised because of its geographically position to fight external threat, urging, “you must rise up to the challenge of the country; demonstrate to Nigerians that you are more than agency to issue passport.”

He said his administration is determined to lead the frontiers of advancement and economic growth of the state, pointing out that present global economic realities demand innovation to make a difference.

Also yesterday, the Lagos State government distributed relief materials worth about N18 million to the first batch of 343 identified affected people out of 1,952 by the July 10 flood in the state.

Some of the materials distributed include; household goods like blankets, clothings, foot-wears and other consumables.

The beneficiaries of the materials who were those affected by the disaster in Odejobi Street ,Orile Agege also received a cheque of N50,000 naira each to support themselves.

Presenting the items on behalf of the state government, Mr Femi Oke –Osayintolu, General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency(LASEMA)said the items were distributed to give succour to the victims.

“It is also to fulfil the government‘s promise of support to the victims and demonstrate the government‘s commitment to always residents of the state who are in great need‘ ‘he said.

He said the presentation to the 343 beneficiaries mainly from Odejobi i street was the first phase, saying the other victims from affected communities in other areas of the state would benefit from the subsequent phases.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items, warning them against going back to the affected buildings for their safety.