The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has welcomed the establishment of an autonomous passport office in Oyo, describing the development as a major step towards improving access to government services and promoting local economic growth.
According to a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by the monarch’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin made the remarks through a delegation led by High Chief Asimiyu Atanda, a member of the Oyo Traditional Council (Oyo Mesi), during a courtesy visit to the management of the Oyo Passport Office.
The visit followed the approval granting the office full operational independence from the Ibadan Passport Office. Previously, passport applications handled in Oyo were processed under the Ibadan office.
With the new arrangement, international passports processed at the Oyo office will now bear the office’s name, reflecting its new autonomous status.
The Alaafin said the development would bring passport application and biometric capture services closer to residents of Oyo and surrounding rural communities, reducing the need for lengthy journeys to larger cities and lowering transport costs for applicants.
He added that the autonomous office would ease pressure on passport centres in major urban areas by reducing congestion and shortening waiting times. The monarch also noted that increased visitor traffic to Oyo for passport services would support local businesses and create employment opportunities, both within the facility and among enterprises providing services to applicants.
Receiving the delegation, the Chief Passport Officer of the Oyo Passport Office, Assistant Controller of Immigration Oladejo David, expressed appreciation for the support of the Alaafin and other prominent sons and daughters of Oyo in securing the office’s autonomous status.
He specifically acknowledged the contributions of Alhaji Daud Igi Ogun and appealed to the monarch to encourage residents to process their passports in Oyo rather than travelling to Ibadan or Ilorin.
David assured the delegation that the office was committed to delivering faster and more efficient passport processing for applicants.
The delegation also included the Alaafin’s Director of Administration, Prince Adesola Sanda, and Islamic scholar Alhaji Daud Igi Ogun.
