Akuneme replaces Okpu as new NIS spokesperson
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has appointed a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), Tony Akuneme as the new Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO).
A statement signed by a Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI), Kenneth Kure, on behalf of NIS, disclosed that Mr Akuneme was appointed following the approval of the Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris and the retirement of the immediate past spokesman of the Service, a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), Amos Okpu after 35 years of service at the NIS.
“Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Isah Jere Idris has approved the appointment of Tony Akuneme, a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), as the new Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO). He replaces DCI Amos Okpu who has since proceeded on retirement after 35 years’ meritorious service to the nation,” the statement said.
Akuneme, who hails from Imo State, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a Master’s Degree in International Law from the University of Lagos and a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the same Institution.
He has attended various courses within and outside the country, including the Superintendent Basic Course at the Immigration Training School, Kano.
Akuneme, who is bringing to the NIS Public Relations Department, 29 years of broad and extensive experience in border security and migration management has during his career served in various capacities.
With a well-established track record of achievements in public relations, he was in 2015, seconded to the office of the Minister of State for Education as Special Assistant on Media, a position he held till 2019.
He had previously served in various formations of the service home and abroad.
He was Deputy Zonal Public Relations Officer (PRO) Zone A, Lagos from 1995 to 2005; PRO, Akwa Ibom State Command, from 2005 to 2008, Deputy Service PRO from 2008 to 2011 and Immigration Attaché, Nigeria High Commission Canada, from 2011 to 2014.
Until his recent appointment, the newly appointed Service spokesman was the Head of Immigration Desk, Nigeria Diaspora Commission.
Akuneme has since assumed duty as the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) of NIS.
