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Tag: Bisi Adegbuyi

  • Empower LG to strengthen national identity framework – Ex-Postmaster General urges FG

    Empower LG to strengthen national identity framework – Ex-Postmaster General urges FG

    Former Postmaster General and CEO of the Nigerian Postal Service, Bisi Adegbuyi, on Monday called for the strengthening of the local governments across the country to enhance Nigeria’s national identity framework in other to accelerate progress in achieving universal identity coverage in Nigeria

    Speaking in a statement, the former Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) boss said the local government remains the missing link in Nigeria’s Identity Management System, (NIMC) hence the need for urgent integration.

    He, however, proposed that the NIMC’s act be amended to authorise local governments to collect and verify identity data while maintaining integration with NIMC’s central database.

    He said despite the significant progress by NIMC, millions of Nigerians remain excluded from the identity system due to limited registration centres in rural areas, logistical and infrastructure challenges and over-centralisation of identity management, stretching NIMC’s resources.

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    Adegbuyi said: “Local Governments are the missing link in Nigeria’s Identity Management System, there is an urgent need for the integration of local governments into the National Identity framework to accelerate progress in achieving universal identity coverage in Nigeria.

    “Local governments are the closest administrative units to the people, riding on the imminent financial autonomy for them; political and administrative autonomy should follow for efficient service delivery and bottom-up socio-economic development of Nigeria. They are uniquely positioned to address the gaps in our current system by reaching remote and underserved communities.

    “Let’s not make any mistake about it: this is not an attempt to usurp or encroach on the statutory powers of NIMC; rather, it is meant to complement NIMC’s commendable efforts in building a robust, inclusive identity framework.

    “Despite significant progress by NIMC, millions of Nigerians remain excluded from the identity system due to limited registration centres in rural areas, logistical and infrastructure challenges, and over-centralization of identity management, stretching NIMC’s resources.

    “This exclusion not only denies citizens access to essential services but also undermines effective governance, security, and development planning.

    “It is therefore proposed, in line with the ongoing efforts at repositioning local governments for effective service delivery and accelerated grassroots development that NIMC’s act be amended to authorise local governments to collect and verify identity data while maintaining integration with NIMC’s central database.”

    Harping on the benefits, he said by integrating local governments into the National Identity system, “there will be increased registration coverage and reduced exclusion, improved service delivery by providing accurate local data for planning, enhanced security and economic opportunities for citizens and reduced operational costs for NIMC with attendant efficiency.

    “Existing and evolving technologies on digital addressing, identification, and geolocation should be deployed at the local governments with appropriate Public and Private sector Partnerships (PPP).

    “The necessary and required capacity building for local government officials should be embarked upon, and massive community engagement to raise awareness and drive citizen participation in registration efforts should be carried out.

    “It must be stressed that this initiative is not about replacing NIMC’s role but strengthening it through collaboration; it’s also aimed at building a more inclusive and effective system that ensures every Nigerian is recognized and empowered by leveraging local government autonomy.”

  • FG plans two additional Satellites to boost NIGCOMSAT-2

    …As telecom subscribers hit 162,05 million 

    The Federal Government is set to establish two additional satellites to support the Nigeria Communication Satellite  system (NIGCOMSAT) to complement the existing NIGCOMSAT- 2.

    Minister for Communication, Dr.  Adebayo Shittu, who disclosed this on Thursday at the 6th regular meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT),  in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said this is to further  boost the Telecommunications industry.

    Shittu added that the Federal Government is committed to using Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) as a tool to diversify the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the economic recovery and massive employment generation for the teeming youths could be achieved faster using ICT

    Speaking on this year’s theme: “Leveraging ICT as a vehicle for economic recovery and growth, “the Minister revealed that the country’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has increased from $32 billion in 2015 to $40 billion in 2018.

    Shittu also disclosed that the telecommunications industry has improved with active telecom subscribers increasing from 148,70million in 2015 to 162,05 million as at September, 2018.

    Declaring open the meeting, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said the state is committed to sustaining an ICT driven environment, adding that he would  always accord it a significant role in his administration.

    Amosun said his government would continue to work to channel the energy of youths into technology, and harness it as weapon of mass development.

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    The Governor expressed worry over the unethical and unprofessional use of ICT to create falsehood and disseminate same on the social media, warning that if left unchecked, it could spell doom for a nation.

    He urged the government, experts in ICT and appropriate agencies to deliberate on measures to check the culture of using ICT and social media to cause disaffection, mislead  and unnecessarily heat up the polity.

    This, he said, would help the nation, especially now that the it is approaching the electioneering year.

    In his goodwill message, Post Master General of the Federation,  Bisi Adegbuyi, stressed the need for leveraging on technology and embracing its importance to solve human and national challenges.

  • FG to commence N5000 cash transfer through NIPOST

    The Federal government said it would soon commence the payment of N5000 to vulnerable poor Nigerians in three states,  using the newly introduced financial services  of  the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) for the cash transfer .

    The government said the package is  under the present administration’s  social welfare programme to help the  poor and the needy in the society .

    Under the new contract, NIPOST is expected  to dispense the N5,000 cash to the poor in three states including Nasarawa, Benue and Anambra .

    The Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST , Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi made the disclosure  in Oyo town at the occasion of 2018 World Post Day celebration.

    He said NIPOST was able to win the contract due to its innovative programme and use of technology to advance its services to the people across the country.

    He said ” For instance, the National Cash Transfer Office which caters for the vulnerable, the poor  in the society awarded NIPOST the job to transfer cash to the poor . They give them N5000, every month, and because NIPOST has transformed and leveraging on technology , we were  awarded  the cash disposal of N5000 in Benue, Nasarawa and Anambra . Who are we serving , we are serving the poor , the post is ready to deliver the goods to bring happiness .”

    Present at the celebration are the Alaafin of Oyo , Oba Lamidi Adeyemi represented by the retired archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria,  Ayo Ladigbolu , the Postmaster of the Federation, Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi, the Managing Director of Wema  Bank, Mr. Ademola Adebise , former Chairman of First Bank PLC, Rev. Akinboboye, NIPOST Zonal Manager , Mrs Ekeleme Kristie and Vice Chairman, Oyo East Local Government, Hon. Wahab Tajudeen .

    Others included top security chiefs, school children, artisans and officials of Wema Bank and Keystone bank.

    The Postmaster General in his speech informed the gathering that the present administration led by President Mohammadu Buhari has embarked on people oriented programme to improve the social welfare of the vulnerable poor in the country.

    Read Also: We still exist, says Abia NIPOST

    Speaking further on the 2018 World  Post Day with the theme ” The Post: Delivering good to the world” , Adegbuyi said ”  Its not just a question of NIPOST alone World Post Day is celebrated in 192 countries that belong to Universal Postal Union to bring to the fore the achievement of Post in the past year the agenda they have set for them in terms of renovation and all the likes.”

    He further disclosed that NIPOST in its transformation drive has commenced financial services and e-banking to bring financial services to the rural people across the country.

    ”  But why we are here today is to flag off our agency banking in partnership with We a bank and Keystone bank. What is agency banking? It is aimed at bringing basic financial services to the people in semi urban areas and rural area. The financially excluded, the un-banked , the under- bank . They have been estimated to be around 41 percent of adults in Nigeria .

    ” It is also in line with the sustainable development goals of the United Nations . Governance is not for the rich but for the poor who live in the rural areas . Our people , artisans, women, men, laborers and others should have access to basic financial banking services.We are here to demonstrate to Nigerians that NIPOST has moved beyond mere letter delivery . We are going to financial services, you members of the press have seen it when we demonstrated account opening procedure where you can paid in deposit , you can do withdraw, how you can pay utility bills ,WAEC, NECO .

    “We also demonstrated that our E-money is ready. We must leverage on technology that trendy everywhere, that is enabling Post Offices who are ready to subscribe to 21st century postal administration.
    We are just flagging it off . This is the first location , we will move from one location to the other . Nigeria is a massive country with 180million people . Its a gradual process,” he said.

    Earlier, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi commended NIPOST for its giant strides in recent years, describing the event as very significant in the history of the agency.

    Speaking through his representative , Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu , Oba Adeyemi said NIPOST has remained the only agency that has continued to connect the people , facilitating communication and enabling the people to stay in touch.

    ” But it has gone beyond that limit , today your money is save if you send it through NIPOST . It is a great pleasure to continue to identify and relate with NIPOST ,” the royal father said.

  • FIRS, NIPOST battle over control of stamp duties funds

    FIRS, NIPOST battle over control of stamp duties funds

    *Senate uncovers N18.6bn NIPOST fund

    Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ) and the Nigeria Postal Services ( NIPOST ) are battling over who controls billions of naira accruing from Stamp Duties payment.

    While FIRS said that collection of stamp duties is part of its statutory function, NIPOST stoutly disagreed.

    NIPOST is spearheading a bill for an Act to amend the Stamp Duties Act, Cap.S8, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to ensure compliance with current realities and for related matters.

    The controversial bill, which emanated from the House of Representatives, has already been passed by the House and referred to the Senate for concurrence.

    The bill seeks the amendment of Section 2 of the principal Act by changing the definition of “Stamp” and addition of the definition of words “Proceeds” and “Stamping Protocol”

    The bill also seeks the amendment of Section 5 of the principal Act by substituting the word “may” for “shall” in Section 5(2) to read “Where the duty may be denoted by adhesive stamp, Postage Stamps shall be used for the purpose.”

    It further seeks amendment of Section 89 of the principal Act in sub 2 to change “may” to “shall” to read “For the purposes of the Act, all income from denotation of receipt, document or instrument with postage stamp shall be known as Stamp Proceeds.”

    The Post Master General, Bisi Adegbuyi and Ike Odume, Director Legal Services, FIRS who appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance, argued for and against the bill.

    Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun was also represented at the hearing by Tor Tsavsar, Director Technical Services, Federal Ministry of Finance.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator John Owan Enoh, said that the hearing became necessary to enable the Senate take informed position on the bill.

    Enoh noted that although the House of Representatives has passed the bill, his committee was mandated to consider it for its merit or demerit.

    The committee questioned the submission of the Post Master General, “because it came without letter head and was not signed.”

    Enoh asked Adegbuyi to do the needful before he could be allowed to make his presentation.

    The FIRS representative said that the Service was opposed to the bill in its entirety because NIPOST wanted to usurp its statutory function.

    Odume said that the Act NIPOS sought to amend affects the 36 states of the Federation “and for the amendments to pass 36 states of the Federation must be around to make their input.”

    He noted that the Stamp Duties Act is a tax legislation which has nothing to do with NIPOST.

    The subsisting Stamp Duties Act, he said, gave the Federal Government and states the leeway to generate revenue and has nothing to do with post office.

    Odume noted that the proposed amendment aimed at eroding the statutory powers of the FIRS.

    He said, “FIRS was given a law to administer which includes Stamp Duties Act. Item 96 of FIRS Act is the administration of Stamp Duties Act. What is the mischief of NIPOST in amending the law. Stamp Duty is a form of tax. All NIPOST is seeking is to usurp the power of the FIRS and the 36 states. It should not be allowed.”

    Representative of the Ministry of Finance adopted the position of FIRS on the bill and sought periodic review of the rate of stamp duty.

    The committee chairman remarked that any body could seek amendment of a law “what is important is the content and what the bill seeks to achieve.”

    The Post Master General told the committee that the bill is a private member bill

    Adegbuyi in his presentation said that the amendment of the Stamp Duties Act became necessary because the law has become obsolete and no longer relevant to meet the challenges of modern day.

    He said that NIPOST was only asking to be allowed to sell stamp either manually of electronically.

    Adegbuyi said, “We are seeking the amendment of the Act to include sale of postage stamp. We are not collecting tax. It is in the interest of Nigeria to draw a line between duty and stamp. We want to sell our stamp.”

    He prayed the committee to allow the bill to pass.

    Chairman of the committee asked the Post Master General the whereabouts of N18.6 billion the committee stumbled upon in the account of NIPOST.

    Enoh asked severally “where is this money, where is it. This committee wants to know where the money is. This committee is interested to know where the money is kept.”

    The committee also demanded to know how the huge fund was accumulated.

    The Post Master General told the committee that the money is with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Adegbuyi said that NIPOST do not have access to the fund.

  • Buhari appoints Adegbuyi new Post- Master General

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the appointment of Bisi Adegbuyi as Post-Master General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST).

    The Director (Press) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Bolaji Adebiyi, announced this in a one paragraph statement issued on Tuesday.

    He replaced Enouch Ogun, who was the acting Post Master General.

    Adegbuyi was a former gubernatorial aspirant in Ogun State and a delegate the 2014 National Conference.