NOA condemns woman for destroying spouse’s international passport

By Kunle Sanni

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Monday condemned the actions of Favour Igiebor, a Nigerian traveler, who allegedly tore her husband’s international passport at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

In a statement released by the agency’s Deputy Director of Press, Paul Odenyi, the NOA described Igiebor’s actions as a violation of the Nigerian law.

Director General of the Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, stated that in alignment with the NOA’s national identity project campaign—particularly concerning national symbols—the Agency will support the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in its efforts to investigate and prosecute such breaches under Section 10(B) of the Immigration Act, 2015, to deter others from willfully damaging important national symbols like the international passport.

The NIS responded to the incident, indicating that it would initiate an investigation.

“The international passport issued by the Nigerian Immigration Service is the property of the Federal Government, and no one granted the privilege of owning one should abuse or damage it under any circumstances. What the woman did is a serious offense against our collective asset and a stain on a key symbol of our national identity,” said Issa-Onilu.

Issa-Onilu also urged citizens to continue respecting national symbols as part of their patriotic duty to national development, emphasizing that the NOA, as the custodian of these symbols, will persist in promoting their proper use and integrity.

He further emphasized that the incident underscores the need for increased public enlightenment and awareness campaigns about the importance of national symbols in the country.

“The passport is one of the core national symbols enshrined in the nation’s ordinance as a patriotic icon, representing the country’s identity, especially in the international community,” he added.