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Tag: NIPOST

  • No plan to handover NIPOST to foreign managers – Minister

    No plan to handover NIPOST to foreign managers – Minister

    The Minister of Communications and Technology, Mr Adebayo Shittu said Monday that the Federal Government has no plan to hand over the operations of the Nigerian Poster Service, NIPOST, to foreigners.

    He dismissed as untrue insinuations that the government had concluded arrangements to allow foreign managers operate NIPOST and reposition it for profitability.

    The Minister in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Victor Oluwadamilare described the insinuations as misleading, but however noted that the government was committed to turning the fortunes of NIPOST around for profitability.

    Mr. Oluwadamilare also announced that the minister has streamlined the appointments of his aides.

    Accordingly, he said, Messrs Abdullah Adeyanju Binuyo is now Special Assistant (Technical); David A. Awotunde, Special Assistant (Admin); Victor Oluwadamilare , Special Assistant (Media) and Hon. Razak Bayo Olubodun –,Personal Assistant.

    “This development which is with immediate effect, is in line with the Federal Government guidelines on the appointment of aides by Ministers,” he added.

    On the issue of NIPOST he said: “our attention has been drawn to various insinuations making the rounds on the social media and a section of the Nigerian press to the effect that the Ministry of Communications was said to have concluded plans to hand over NIPOST to foreigners to manage.

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored the innuendoes, as there is no iota of truth in the said story, except for the likelihood of Nigerians being misled on our genuine intentions to reposition and revitalise NIPOST.

    “In putting the records straight, the Government of the day has no plan whatsoever to either privatize NIPOST nor hand it over to foreigners to manage. This could only happen in the imagination of those who concocted and orchestrated the rumour to achieve only their inordinate mischief.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, and as stated at different fora by the Minister of Communications, Barrister Shittu, Our vision of the new NIPOST is a total transformation from being a mono-product service organisation to a one-stop multi-product service provider with the ultimate aim of making it a cash-spinning establishment that can make meaningful contribution to the country’s revenue base.

    “Such transformation will no doubt, entail diversification of services which will include rendering robust and all-inclusive financial services, utilising post offices across the country for rural telephony services, commercialising NIPOST’s fleet of vehicles, running a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and expansion of the stamp duties processes among others.

    “Barrister Shittu, an avowed nationalist is a patriotic Nigerian who is wholly committed to the sustenance of our national institutions and legacies will never join the league of those hell-bent in selling off our common heritage,” the statement added.

  • NIPOST chief promises quality services

    NIPOST chief promises quality services

    Acting Postmaster-General/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Enoch Ade Ogun, has restated NIPOST’s commitment to better service deliver.

    He spoke at the maiden edition of NIPOST Workshop Service customers’ forum.

    “NIPOST is committed to building effective and sustainable collaboration with all relevant stakeholders in order to deliver efficient and high quality services,” he said.

    The workshop was established during the era of the defunct Post and Telecommunications Department (P and T) to provide postal equipment, tools and furniture for post and communication operations.

    It is a registered arm of NIPOST with a factory land mass of 12,167.8 square meters comprising a covered factory block of 1389.56 square meters and a opened factory block 1186,3 square meters.

    Some of the services it provides include wood fittings, building maintenance, metal fittings, crankshaft cutting services, diesel Injector machine services, auto-mechanical Services, electrical Installations, as well as vocational training.

    Speakers said there was the need to reinvigorate the activities of NIPOST workshop services.

    Otunba Dele Olapeju, who chaired the event, lamented that the global recession calls for immediate diversification. “We hope that the activities of the NIPOST workshop services will receive government attention,” he said.

    The workshop management said the products on display could compete favourably in the market and should therefore, receive increased patronage nationwide.

    Equipped with state-of-the- art machinery, it also has a warehouse facility measuring 513 square meters. The workshop was established in 1956, making it one of the oldest and still functioning factory facilities in the country.

    It operates in diverse but compliementary areas of business. In meeting the realities of modern times especially in the provision of quality products and services, NIPOST Workshop has recently been invigorated and the product line extended to provide, among others, provision of office, home and school furniture/fittings, metal/wrought iron works, motor vehicle maintenance and engine reconditioning, production of corporate gift items etc.

    The services are all provided by the workshop using reliable machines and experienced workforce.

  • NIPOST marks UNN’s anniversary with stamps

    NIPOST marks UNN’s anniversary with stamps

    The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has clocked 55 but a memorable feature of the event is the printing of commemorative stamps by the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST).

    NIPOST is itself making spirited efforts to expand and upgrade its services by equipping its offices with ICT infrastructure and internet connection.

    Speaking at the launching of the 55th Anniversary Commemorative Stamps for the University of Nigeria, the acting Postmaster General of the Federation, Arch. Enoch Ade Ogun said the move would make post offices ICT compliant and widen financial services to Nigerians especially those who live in the rural areas and have no access to financial banks.

    Ogun said, “The significance of today’s occasion cannot be over-emphasised. This is because fifty-five years in the life of an institution is not only a landmark but also a watershed that signifies consistency, growth and progress of this great university despite the challenges being faced by the education sector in Nigeria.

    “The fact that the University of Nigeria has surpassed the ‘golden’ and is still waxing strong calls for celebration and we in NIPOST are proud to be associated with the institution in celebrating this anniversary with the launching of the commemorative postage stamps.

    “Many people may be wondering why the university authorities have chosen postage stamps as part of activities to mark this important anniversary. All over the world, postage stamps are regarded as one of the most effective means of supplying information about a country’s history, culture and people. Postage stamps are often described as miniature encyclopedia and living reminders of events.”

    He pointed out that the challenges posed by globalization required governments, institutions and even individuals to showcase not just their uniqueness but also their achievements and contributions in a manner that would be acceptable to the global community.

    The Postmaster General assured Nigerians of NIPOST’s readiness to consistently ensure that major events in Nigeria’s national life were documented for posterity via the issuance of commemorative postage stamps, adding that postal services were still essential to every country’s economic and social structure.

    He said University of Nigeria was eminently qualified to feature on Nigeria stamps given its importance in the country’s socio-economic development, adding that the university would become the third among the first generation of Nigerian universities to use the postage stamps to showcase their acomplishments and potentials.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Benjamin Ozumba said: “It is our belief that these commemorative stamps will carry the visions and missions of UNN not only to other parts of Nigeria but the world over.”

    Ozumba emphasised that it was remarkable that the launching came at a time when the university secured the hosting right of the West African University Game (football and hockey campionships), saying that he hopes the launching of the stamps would showcase the university and the entire West Africa sub-region through the 4th West African University Game currently going on in the Nsukka campus of the institution.

    The stamps which were launched at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium in Nsukka campus comprised four denominations of N120, N100 and two sets of N50 stamps. Portraits of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe; Dr. George Johnson, first Vice-chacellor of the university;  a mascot of the university with the motto “To Restore the Dignity of Man” and that of Prof. Ozumba were embossed on the stamps.

     

  • NLC urged to shelve planned shutdown of NIPOST

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has been urged to stop the plan to shut down NIPOST headquarters.

    President, Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC),  Nigeria Postal Service NIPOST, branch, Mr. Gabriel Imafidon, made the appeal in Abuja while responding to a letter sent by the NLC on its plans to picket the office.

    According to Imafidon, the planned shutdown is over allegations of diversion of check-off dues of staff of the Nigerian Union of Postal Telecommunication Employ (NUPTE), NIPOST branch, to SSACTAC coffers. He added that the union would prefer to dialogue with NUPTE and for NLC to seek clarification on labour laws establishing it before picketing its office.

    He said: “NLC has directed all its industrial unions to contribute 50 persons each to join in the picketing. We don’t want to join issues with them on the pages of newspapers or the electronic media. The way they are going about it shows elements of high-handedness. We stand to be corrected. We urge the NLC to seek clarification within the ambit of the law.

    “We expected that the NLC,  as a sister body, would work to ensure peace between  SSACTAC and NUPTE through dialogue, or better  still, advise NUPTE to go to court and challenge the  management’s action.’’

  • ‘Why NIPOST must be repositioned’

    MinIsterof Communications Technology Dr  Omobola Johnson has said the Federal Government will reposition the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) because it is central to the realisation of its goals of financial, digital and social inclusion – in line with the Vision 20:2020 of the government.

    Meanwhile, plans to reform the postal sector and restructure NIPOST have received a boost with the approval of the Nigerian Postal Commission Bill 2014 by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The Bill is expected to be forwarded to the legislature for passage into law.

    Dr.  Johnson said NIPOST has the largest retail infrastructure in the country, but contributes about 0.03 per cent to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) with 300 courier companies.

    She said 10 pilot states will run the programme of its being converted to a platform for digital, financial and social inclusion across the country.

    The Postal sector in Nigeria has grown over time with more than 1,200 post offices owned by the government, close to 2,000 postal agency outfits managed by individuals, and over 290 registered private courier companies. However, statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that whilst year-on-year growth is increasing, the contribution of the Post and Courier Services sector to GDP (at 0.03 per cent) is still low.

    The Nigeria Postal Commission Bill 2014 is designed to reform and reposition the postal sector in line with global trends and international best practices. It promotes a postal sector that is efficient, cost effective, better funded and capable of delivering service that meets universal obligations embedded in National policies and programmes such as the Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:2020.

    The postal sector is managed by NIPOST, therefore, the growth of the sector is intrinsically tied to the reform of NIPOST.

  • Courier industry worth N300b, says ComTech Minister

    Courier industry worth N300b, says ComTech Minister

    The Minister, Commu nications Technology  (CmTech), Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson has said the courier industry is now worth N300 billion, adding that the sector has been growing and would continue to grow in coming years.

    Speaking yesterday at the 2014 Ministerial Platform in Abuja, she said the postal sector is an amalgam of transport, logistics and distribution, and related entities that are involved in the linking of communities by movement of messages, information, goods and services

    According to her, the revised gross domestic product (GDP) figures showed that the contribution of the Post and Courier Services sector to GDP (at 0.03 per cent) is low.

    She said: “The sector is however growing steadily, and is likely to experience more rapid growth as commerce (in particular e-Commerce) expands.

    “Total number of registered courier companies as at Nov 31, 2014 was 293.

    “Asset worth (including revenue, capital items and other working facilities) of the courier industry estimated at about N300 billion.”

    According to her the Nigerian postal sector is managed by NIPOST, therefore the growth of the sector is intrinsically tied to the reform of NIPOST.

    She said the Nigeria Postal Bill is currently being considered by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which will create clear delineation of roles and responsibilities in the postal sector via the creation of an independent regulator; create a level playing field for postal operators; and transform NIPOST into an autonomous and financially viable postal company (providing low cost universal postal services and a broad range of service).

    According to her, NIPOST is modernising its physical and IT network and collaborating with actors in the broader economy to deliver a wider range of services including digital inclusion by leveraging point of sales (PoS) as venues were the public can access ICT services.

    She recalled that the ICT industry in 2011 was dominated by the telecommunications sector and multinational corporations with GDP contribution standing approx. 5.46 per cent

    She said there was a fragmented IT sector with small domestic players made up of approximately 350 companies while domestic value added in key areas was sub-optimal and it was characterised by consumer preference for global brands and high levels of importation of inputs and finished products

    Dr Omobola said over $360million was transferred out in purchase and maintenance of software on products and services.

  • ICT and the dying art of letter-writing

    ICT and the dying art of letter-writing

    SIR: With the advent of the Internet and the diversification of communication technology, letter-writing appears to be teetering on the edge of extinction. Unarguably, the current revolution in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), through electronic mail and telephony, has eroded the relevance of letter-writing and postage stamps from our globe. Nowadays, more and more people are becoming accustomed to instant messaging as communication technology advances. Consequently, the conveyance of thoughts and feelings via the Internet has become the current trend in the communication world. The emergence of the Internet and the improvements in ICT are, no doubt, meritorious technological feats. For instance, email is a much quicker means of written communication. Also, email can be sent from anywhere, and it allows one the benefit of sending the same message to different people at the same time, provided there is an Internet connection.

    It is indisputable, and somewhat regrettable, that many teenagers are not knowledgeable about postage stamps and their uses. Accustomed to sending messages and emails with their mobile phones via the Web, a great many Nigerians hardly visit post offices to send letters anymore. Thus, this has belittled the relevance and importance of postage stamps and letter-writing in Nigeria. This, in turn, has become a source of worry to the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), which is responsible for the designing and printing of postage stamps in Nigeria.

    In addition, the dying art of letter-writing has made inroads into the writing skills of the youth. Having to send messages via social networking sites, many Nigerian youth have thrown the ethics of writing letters to the wind. They can hardly write good constructions nor can they spell correctly because of the meaningless abbreviations they employ when exchanging online messages. Hence, the actual meaning of the message is distorted owing to the hieroglyphic abbreviations.

    In the modern world, a prerequisite for employment in any firm is a letter of employment, which encapsulates an applicant’s educational background, reason(s) for seeking employment, among others. Lamentably, many a Nigerian graduate has not mastered and internalized the rudiments of letter-writing. This invariably results in the submission of poorly written articles, riddled with grammatical solecisms, during job-hunting. It is no wonder that some job-seekers even copy sample employment letters from English-language textbooks.

    Since antiquity, letter-writing has been a dignified art. It was—and still remains—one of the strongest weapons with which greats and legends used in effecting positive changes in history. Letters have been the most suitable form of communication that reveals man’s innermost beauty, and help to express his thoughts and ideas clearly and explicitly. However, the beautiful art of letter-writing has been completely eclipsed by the leviathan of computing, the Internet.

    Therefore, as part of the measures taken to revive this moribund art, I suggest that the public be enlightened about the importance and benefits of postage stamps and letters. The revolution in ICT is great, no doubt. But must we watch helplessly as it erodes our culture and deprave the minds of our younger generation? Also, the Nigerian Postal Service, whilst ensuring a quick and efficient delivery of parcels, should work in conjunction with secondary schools and youth development centres in getting Nigerian youth interested in letter-writing. Creating writing competitions and granting scholarships to successful competitors will also help to revitalize and promote the culture of letter-writing.

     

    • Kingsley Charles,

    University of Calabar. 

     

  • NIPOST’s facilities to drive mobile money

    About four years after the Central Bank o f Nigeria (CBN) licensed 18 mobile money operators in the country, only approximately one million of the over 130 million mobile subscribers in the country have taken advantage of the platform for transaction.

    The Ministry of Communications Technology said the ubiquitous network of the postal outlets of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) would be deployed to boost digital transaction across the country.

    Its minister, Dr Omobola Johnson said the development, after being in operation for one year, is expected to reduce the number of the unbanked in the country by 10 per cent (3.5 million).

    Omobola who spoke on Connect Nigerians: The role of Nigerian postal agency, NIPOST, in our Financial Inclusion Model said: “The network of postal outlets operated by the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST constitutes the most widespread retail network in the country

    “The postal service network is more widely spread than the combined bank branch networks; nationwide spread of physical network with a constitutional mandate to maintain location in every local government area (774 LGAs); recgnised and trusted brand, particularly in rural areas; most experienced public entity in the recruitment and support of agents; potential to be an effective, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual workforce; postal financial services to be delivered in partnership with banks, telcos, IT companies.”

    According to her, the transaction advisor for this programme would be selected this quarter while partners would be selected the second quarter of next year while the partnership is also expected to begin by the second quarter of 2016.

    “After being in operation for one year, this service should be able to reduce number of unbanked Nigerians by 10 per cent (3.5 Million),” she said of the anticipated effects of the initiative.

    According to her, about 67,000 mobile money agents have so far been registered, lamenting that analysis has shown that a significant proportion of payments in the country are still cash-based.

    The minister said total payments are estimated at $695billion per annum out of which cash accounts for over 90 per cent of transactions in terms of volume and about 60 per cent in total value

    Dr. Omobola said: “Bank transfers and cheque payments combined make up less than 0.5 per cent in terms of volume and approximately 38 per cent in terms of value

    “Other digital forms of payment are increasing in volume. They however currently make up only about two per cent in value. Most payments (in terms of value) are between businesses and persons (B2B, B2P, P2P) business to business (B2B), business to person (B2P) and person to person (P2P)”.

    She said government payments however have high potential to change the payment landscape of the country, adding that cash transactions are expensive, risky and promote insecurity in the financial system and country

    “Government is therefore implementing policies to increase the adoption of digital forms of payments. ICTs are at the heart of the success of such policies. Infrastructure for the delivery of services, applications for management, security and adoption of services (would be provided),” she said.

     

  • Abia NIPOST marks World Post Office Day

    Abia NIPOST marks World Post Office Day

    The annual World Post Office Day was observed in Abia State in a very unique manner as the parastatal shut down its operations for two hours to celebrate their day which the workers aptly termed Christmas Day celebration.

    Members of staff of Abia NIPOST wine and dined except those on essential services such as selling of stamps and delivering of parcels who stayed back at their duty posts while colleagues of theirs brought their own foods to their desks.

    The occasion was the celebration of this year’s World Post Office Day in commemoration of the creation of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) about 140 years ago with the theme ‘Posts Claim Their Place in the Changing Communication Landscape.”

    Speaking during the ceremony, the Area Postal Manager, Mr. Ignatius Umeadi said the creation of the UPU 140 years ago established a multi-lateral framework for the exchange of documents and goods across borders and paved the way for globalised trade and commerce.

    Mr. Umeadi noted that nowadays post services are poised to play very important role in a new wave of globalisation being ushered in by the internet, which calls for greater inclusion of citizens everywhere.

    He said: “With half of the world’s population living in the rural areas, the postal network is well placed to reach them through prompt delivery of mails, including parcels.

    “It is on record that in sub-Saharan Africa, 80 per cent of post offices are located in smaller cities and rural areas where majority of the people reside.”

    Umadi further said in the era of internet, the post offices needed to do more if they are to face the challenge of the modern communication system, explaining that despite the internet; post offices are still needed, especially in the developing countries where 32 per cent of the population has access to the internet.

    He, however, said “the global postal network is a tremendous asset for extending the digital reach, not only to the benefit of citizens and businesses, but also for governments, development agencies and other stakeholders who seek solutions to many of the challenges our world is grappling with.”

    He also said the World Bank had earlier said post offices are the cheapest providers of remittance services, ahead of banks and money transfer operators and the second biggest contributors to financial inclusion after banks with one billion people holding a postal account.

    Umeadi further explained that there are new opportunities with cross-border e-commerce.

    “Though this type of business is still relatively new, global online sales should reach $1.5 trillion by the end of the year and in most cases, all online purchases are delivered by post,” he said.

    He explained that postal activities stimulate the global economy and improve livelihoods, adding that there are 640,000 post offices worldwide.

    Mr. Umeadi said he foresees postal service that will make an impact through the globalised world as the communication landscape continues to evolve.

    “But we need governments to provide electrical and internet connectivity for the impact to be effective,” he said.

    In his remarks, a member of staff at the head office, Pastor Herbert Okpara called for unity among the management and staff, even as he urged members of staff to remain steadfast in their duties and never to disregard the importance of NIPOST.

    Pastor Okpara commended the management and staff of the NIPOST for their efforts in ensuring that their welfare package is improved, urging them to do more, as good welfare package is all that the staff need to improve on their inputs.

  • Fed Govt owes NIPOST pensioners three years’arrears

    The Federal Government is owing the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) pensioners three years pension arrears and gratuities, The Nation has learnt.

    Chairman, Association of NIPOST branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Steven Shokden, said though they were assured that money would be released by the Budget Office of the Federation, nothing had been paid to them.

    He said some of their members had not been paid their arrears and gratuities since 2011.

    He explained that some of the members were before 2011 paid up to 75 per cent of their pensions and gratuities, while others were paid only 25 per cent.

    Shokden said  there are some pensioners, who died in 1996 and 1997, whose families were yet to be paid their pension benefits, adding that the government is also owing those who were asked to resign 10 per cent severance in lieu of notice.

    He explained that the Budget Office was supposed to release the money to their underwriter, Niger Insurance Plc that would  pay the NIPOST Pension Board.

    He said the Board was aware of the debts.

    ‘’What we learnt is that the money budgeted for these arrears are still with the Budget Office and we do not know when it will be released,’’ he said.