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The Federal Government said on Monday that everything is ready to launch two additional satellites by Nigeria Communication Satellite, NIGCOMSAT, Limited.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, revealed this during a tour of the facilities and an interaction with the NIGCOMSAT management team in Abuja.
The Nigerian News Agency reports that the satellites are: NigComSat-2 and NigComSat-3.
“As I said before, 2022 has been dedicated to NigComSat and NIPOST and I want to do my best to improve on what we have achieved in the previous years.
“I recently approved two subsidiaries of NIGCOMSAT LTD and I am here to monitor what they have been doing.
“I have discovered some areas where we need to work to significantly improve their performance,” he said.
Pantami also said that for the agency not to be considered for privatization again, it must provide quality service and generate good income.
“The efforts made to stop the privatization of NIGCOMSAT are for the good of the company and for the good of the country.
“It needs to change things through the unique and effective service it can provide and the revenue it generates for the government.
“It is a difficult task to revive an institution and make it very successful. The challenge of reviving NIGCOMSAT is not just a necessity, but an obligation for all staff,” he said.
The Minister also said that the purpose of his visit was to address the great challenges that required the attention of the Federal Government.
Mr. Pantami said the visit was to motivate and encourage staff members on the core values, which were the guiding principles that must be embraced without compromise to ensure the success of the organization.
NIGCOMSAT Director General Abimbola Alale appreciated the Federal Government's efforts to ensure that NIGCOMSAT was operating at its full capacity.
“We thank the Minister for the increase in the budget allocation for the company that needs capital after general expenses.
“He defended us and insisted that there must be something good in NIGCOMSAT. Because he is a man who believes that we can actually turn NIGCOMSAT on its head,” he said.
The Director General also promised the Minister the willingness of the agency to provide quality service and generate revenue to justify his efforts to revitalize the agency.
“This year, the Minister has given us many challenges and I know that we are ready to meet the challenges. The subsidiaries are self-financing and sustaining.
“This year, Nigerians need new significant changes to let them know that NIGCOMSAT is a new company,” he said.
NAN informs that some of the places visited included in the Facility Tour were the Satellite Control Center, SCC, Network Operations Center, NOC and others.
YAYA
The Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, has signed a partnership with the Egyptian company, e-Gate Egypt, on the digital transformation of logistics and last-mile delivery chain services.
Post Director General PMG NIPOST Dr. Ismail Adewusi said this in Abuja on Monday when e-gate Egypt CEO Essam Alsaghir visited NIPOST headquarters to consummate the partnership.
Last-mile delivery is the movement of goods from the warehouse, the shelf, or the transportation hub to their final delivery destination or the customer's door, professionally known as "the last mile."
Adewusi, who said the partnership would help address infrastructure gaps at the agency, added that it would also help job creation.
According to the PMG`, the digital transformation of mail implies that from one end to the other, the customer can track the movement of his mail and his packages.
“I think this is an area where we have really lacked some form of competitive advantage.
"The signing of this agreement will also help us contribute to the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration of lifting 100 million people out of poverty in the next 10 years."
He said that with the agreement, NIPOST could involve many young people, thus increasing job opportunities in the country.
Mr. Alsaghir, explaining the importance of the agreement, said that the digital transformation of NIPOST's operations would fundamentally change the way postal services are delivered in Nigeria.
“When the agreement is implemented, the entire mail delivery system will be automated through the controller's mobile app. Customers can track the movement of their packages through a mobile application.
"Our partnership with NIPOST will provide our customers with new technology and mobile application for a safe, easy and fast way to reach their customers not only for the postal service but for other transactions," said Mr. Alsaghir.
In addition, he said that the association would help generate money-making opportunities for many Nigerians, particularly young people.
“It is an income-generating opportunity, where citizens' vehicles will be used. Now, every citizen with a vehicle will be a potential courier for the POS and the private company, ”he said.
The framework agreement aims to enable the Pan African Postal Union, PAPU and stakeholders to explore and execute business opportunities for registered communications and digital postal services.
YAYA
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), said it had taken advantage of new technological innovations that would enable it meet customers’ expectations and serve their needs.
Dr Ismail Adewusi, the postmaster general, made the assertion during the Special Day of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) at the 2021 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITR) in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fair, holding from Nov. 5 to Nov. 14, has as its theme: “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value”.
Over 200,000 visitors are expected while about 1,500 exhibitors from 16 countries are participating in the 35th edition of the fair.
Adewusi said: “Having embraced innovation, NIPOST has taken advantage of the new technology, developed new business models and new products and services that meet the needs and expectations of the current dynamic markets.
“Aside the full automation of NIPOST Counters, the International Postal System (IPS) and integrated postal management system (IPMS) now in place in NIPOST are some of the audacious steps in appropriating the availability of ICT to adequately serve the needs of our army of technologically-driven customers.
“Our E-commerce and haulage/Logistic ventures are gradually taking centre stage in business networking while SMEs and MSMEs constantly take advantage of our competitive rates to deliver goods and services,” he said.
He was represented Oladapo, general manager, NIPOST e-Commerce and Logistics.
Furthermore, the postmaster general said that NIPOST was currently providing ficial services to its customers.
He said: “NIPOST in a bid to support sustainable development goals banking to the unbanked is currently providing ficial services such as, cash and other International fund transfer like Western Union on our counters”.
Adewusi said also that NIPOST is in partnership with NIRSAL Microfice Bank and urged customers that they could access the bank in various NIPOST offices.
Besides, he said NIPOST’s awareness campaign at this year’s Fair is stamp denotation, EMS and Parcel, Address Verification System, Bulk post and Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department, Philately etc.
He assured customers of the organisation’s commitment to effectively and efficiently provide them with quality services.
He added that handling of their items was currently in line with the global best practices as quality bubble wraps had been introduced and used to protect and safeguard their items from moisture and breakage.
Earlier, MrsToki Mabogunje, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the Trade Fair was specially packaged to showcase innovation in goods and services of indigenous businesses and enterprises in Africa.
According to her, the aim of LCCI is to connect businesses and create value between manufacturers, customers, major sector companies and consumers products and services at the Fair.
“This year’s Trade Fair is specially packaged to showcase innovation in goods and services of indigenous businesses and enterprises in Africa, there a platform for connecting with partners that is best served across the world,” she said.
Source: NAN
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, said the Federal Government would soon unveil policies to unbundle the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST).
Pantami stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling ceremony of NIPOST revenue stamp.
The Minister described NIPOST as one of the most important institutions of government, adding that policies that would transform its operations and make it innovative would soon be unveiled.
“ We have so many policies of transforming NIPOST in the pipeline and part of it will unbundle NIPOST.
“We also have the ACT of NIPOST going into amendment.
“ We have a plan with a property and development company, the company will bring together all the properties of NIPOST, develop them and make sure that the government generates revenue from them.
“ All generated revenue will go into developing sectors like health, education, agriculture, security and other social developments,’’ he said.
He disclosed that other aspects of NIPOST unbundling to take place before end of the year include NIPOST transport and logistics, courier services and microfinance bank.
Pantami who was hopeful of NIPOST becoming a world class outfit praised stakeholders for their unrelenting efforts in remodeling and recording modest achievements recently.
The Postmaster General (PMG) of NIPOST, Dr Ismail Adewusi, earlier stated that over the years, Nigeria’s history had been documented through stamps.
“ Through stamps, NIPOST has documented Nigeria’s history, educating and preserving our national heritage among others.
“Stamps have served as objects of visual communication and dependable recorder of events for prosperity, ” he said.
Going down memory lane, the PMG said revenue stamps were first issued when the Niger coast and southern Nigerian protectorates merged into the colony and protectorate of Nigeria in 1938.
According to him, after the time of the merger, series of rare revenue stamps were produced.
However, he urged the public to avail themselves the new revenue stamps for the authentication and validation of documents and denotation of duties or fees.
“ We have about 25 million copies of the stamp unveiled today for sale at the rate of N50 each and it is available for sale in all our postal outfits nationwide.
“ We are hopeful it will be sold out in the next two weeks and then we commence reproduction,’’ he said.
In her remarks, the chairman, NIPOST Governing Board, Maimuna Abubakar, said the unveiling of stamps marked a milestone in the effort towards institutionalising a culture of excellence in NIPOST public service delivery.
According to her, NIPOST is back to its legal position of administration of stamps and effectively contributing to the socio economic development of Nigeria.
“ We are thankful with the signing into law of the amended Finance Act 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“ There is no need over stating the obvious that NIPOST stamps have been unquestionably used since time immemorial as the only instrument for denoting duty and today’s event is a testament.
“ I strongly believe that NIPOST can thrive on revenue generation, considering the massive network, infrastructure and opportunities around it,’’ she said. (NAN)
Repositioning NIPOST beyond postage stamps issuance and sales
A News Analysis by Tolu Aiyegbusi, News Agency of Nigeria
On Oct. 9, the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) observed the 2020 World Post Day with the presentation of 100 years compendium of Nigeria postage stamps from 1914- 2014.
The significance of the day is also indicated in the marking of the 146th anniversary of the creation of the Universal Postal Union — a specialised agency of the United Nations founded on Oct. 9, 1874.
As fundamental as the roles of postal services are to national development, concerned Nigerians note that NIPOST has not been living to the expectations of the public.
They note that although one of the statutory responsibilities of NIPOST is the issuance of postage stamps, the service needs to explore other areas to make it relevant in the scheme of things.
In view of this, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), assures the public that there will be tremendous successes in the process of NIPOST transformation.
According to him, for NIPOST to be relevant, after the unbundling, it will start the process of automating some of the most important activities of the service in line with the digital economy.
During the presentation of the compendium in Abuja, the minister observed that a bill on the issues of stamp duty collection was initiated by NIPOST and not by any other institutions.
“It was taken to the National Assembly by NIPOST and was endorsed by the minister of finance that NIPOST should collect stamp duties.
“But when NIPOST started the process, other tax collectors discovered that stamp duty is something special and along the process, they went somewhere and hijacked it and in less than 24 hours before the final decision was made, the name of NIPOST was substituted.
“I have written a letter to the minister of finance three times as well as the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria; I hate injustice and I assure you, we will fight for you legally and by following due process,’’ he assured NIPOST management.
Dr Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, the Postmaster-General of NIPOST, noted that the “World Post Day represents an excellent opportunity for postal authorities in all countries of the world to educate government officials and the public on the important and invaluable contributions which postal services make in the socio-economic development of nations.
“To underscore that the post continues to serve as an essential instrument of economic and social development in Nigeria, the Federal Government has embarked on a comprehensive reform of the postal sector to make it responsive to customers’ demands through provision of high quality and affordable universal postal service to the citizenry.
“It is imperative to state that the posts globally are not left out and have faced the biggest upheavals in 2020 since Second World War occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic but postal operations have equally shown great resilience by changing their modes of operations, to meet the needs of customers during the ongoing storms”.
“NIPOST reform programme engendered a new vision and mission statement for the organisation, which is to provide a thriving market-driven organisation focusing on innovation and the commitment.
“Providing efficient, effective and reliable services with the aid of appropriate technology and a well-motivated workforce; the reform, no doubt, has brought positive changes in our operations”.
He listed the measures that have been taken to improve the quality of service delivery to include strengthening of operatives in the mail delivery services, mail security and the fight against scam mail, quality of mail service test, introduction of financial services in the post, revenue, staff promotion and review of conditions of service.
He also said that NIPOST had been restructured to start NIPOST Property Development Company, NIPOST Transport and Logistics Company and NIPOST Microfinance Bank that have reached an advanced stage of unbundling.
Adewusi said that NIPOST operations would be fully digitised and its infrastructures fully maximised as part of stages of NIPOST transformation.
He also said the service had explored both local and international to boost the postal infrastructure.
“One of the most notable partnerships is NIPOST partnership with Hansa Energy Solutions, a Dubai-based firm, with the goal of ensuring that clean electricity reaches the underprivileged in the society through the NIPOST network.
Adewusi noted that the partnership was in line with Sustainable Development Goals, insisting that the service had determined to use its extensive postal outlets to deliver innovative services.
According to him, NIPOST has, over the years, projected Nigeria’s image and identity at national, regional and international levels in history, economy, politics, international relations, people’s diversities and environmental issues, among others.
He noted that the compendium would serve as a legacy project, promoting Nigerian image home and abroad and provide a medium for education and research and promote philatelic education in the country.
“The compendium tells the true story of Nigeria from 100 years. It is educative, entertaining and informative,’’ he said.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Communication, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, commended the Adewusi, noting that NIPOST has evolved and with technological advancement “there is the need to reform the agency’s mode of operation’’.
She expressed confidence that NIPOST won’t relent in contributing to the development of the nation, adding that the Senate is committed in providing legislative support where necessary.
NIPOST currently operates mail, counters, financial services, arcel, E-commerce and Logistics, Nigerian Postal Institute and Workshop and Properties.
Philatelists observe that the use of stamps is not limited to postage services alone, it also serves as an object of visual communication and to document events for the country’s posterity.
They note further that NIPOST, through the issuance of stamps, has given the public a sense of belonging and helped Nigerians to understand history.
“Our stamps gives us a view of the world from any era because they carry a little information about the history, geography, art and culture of a particular time,’’ Mr Oyeyele Adigun, a stamp collector, says.
Underscoring the usefulness of the service, NIPOST notes that it has kept afloat the letter writing competition for young students less than 15 years of age with over 2,000 entries received from students across secondary schools in Nigeria.(NANFeatures)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), has designated Kano State as an eCommerce hub, to boost online trade and services in the country.
NIPOST Post-Master General, Dr Isma’ila Adewusi, said this when he paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, in Kano.
“Looking at the rapid development taking place in the state, Kano will now be our hub for eCommerce in the country.
“The state is a very large economy, so we need to traverse its length and breadth,” Adewusi said.
He said that he was in the state on an assessment tour of NIPOST facilities in Kaduna Zone, to appraise how the personnel fare in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, the service will establish an eCommerce hub in Kano in view of the state’s comparative advantage in trade and commerce in the country.
Adewusi lauded Ganduje for executing viable projects to transform the state as well as the feat achieved in the campaign against COVID-19 pandemic.
“Your Excellency in the first place Lagos state was the epicenter of COVID-19 and Kano came again as another epicenter of the pandemic.
“With your courage and commitment sir; you stood firm and fought the pandemic gallantly. We are all proud of you for your determination in leading the fight,” he said.
Responding, Ganduje expressed appreciation for the visit.
“Surviving all through different mode of communications, from telex to fax up to present day ICT, is an indication that your organisation is firm and strong.
“I am happy you are in Kano for a post-COVID-19 assessment, if I can call it that,” he said.
While appreciating NIPOST for seeking to work on some monuments in the state, Ganduje pledged to assist the organisation to achieve it objectives.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that E-commerce and Logistics is the Commercial Business Unit of NIPOST, responsible for online buying and selling as well as shipment of goods and services.
The eCommerce is focused on Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in line with Federal Government policy of promoting locally made goods, while the logistics service is centred on transportation of household, office, spare parts, farm produce and manufactured goods among others.
Edited By: Ali Baba-Inuwa
Source: NAN
The Federal Government says it it working on plans to reform the Postal Sector to enable it meet customers’ demands through provision of high quality and affordable Universal Postal Service (UPS).
Dr Adebayo Adewusi, Postmaster General, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) said this in a statement by Mr Franklin Alao, General Manager, Communications of the organisation on Monday in Abuja.
Alao said that Adewusi made the comment while speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 2020 World Post Day.
He quoted him as saying that the day represented an opportunity for postal authorities in all countries to educate government officials and the public on contributions of postal services to the socio-economic development of the world.
“NIPOST management will continue to strive to ensure the success of government’s reform effort, especially the unbundling of organisation into strategic companies to create more job opportunities and generate more revenue for government to enable it carry out its functions effectively.
“We will continue to explore various ways and means to make the Postal Industry in Nigeria a very important player and valuable partner in the development of the nation’s economy through its activities.
“As part of activities to mark this year’s celebration, a virtual colloquium on the topic “The Post in a Digital Economy” was held on Oct. 8.
“The activities continued on Monday with the launch of a compendium of Nigeria’s 100 years of existence since its amalgamation from 1914 to 2014 as captured in postage stamps and climaxed with the presentation of prizes to winners of the 2020 UPU letter writing competition, ” he said.
He said competition was organised for young people below the age of 15 and about 2,279 entries were received from students from secondary schools across Nigeria.
“The competition was designed to develop the skills of young people in letter writing to contribute in strengthening of national and international friendships, which is one of the cardinal objectives of the Universal Postal Union.
“I wish to appeal to all school authorities in the country to encourage greater participation by their students in subsequent editions of this important letter writing competition which is held annually,’’ he said.
Edited By: Abigael Joshua/Ali Baba-Inuwa
Source: NAN
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has called on the global community and Nigeria to adopt non-violence approach as a means to resolving conflicts, as the World Celebrates Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th posthumous birthday.
Onyeama made the call on Friday in Abuja during the virtual closing ceremony of the 150th birth anniversary organised by the Indian High Commission in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gandhi is celebrated on October every year as the International Day of non-violence in accordance with a unanimous UN resolution in 2007.
Gandhi is remembered as a nationalist, who fought for the Independence of India using non-violence, a philosophy which has been emulated by other world leaders in achieving peaceful resolutions.
Onyeama said that posterity will always remember Gandhi’s adoption of non-violence resistance in his nationalist struggle against the social ills of his time and promoting mainstreaming civil rights for all his compatriots.
He disclosed that the same approach was embraced and adopted by Martin Luther King in his Civil right movement in the United States of America and Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
Onyeama noted that Gandhi’s peaceful approach was so impactful and became the model and standard for those fighting for justice across the world, which proved to be worthy of emulation
“So, as we mark the 150th anniversary of this great Indian nationalist as well as the International Day of Non-violence, it is our hope that the non-violent approach will consistently be the preferred method for resolution of national and international conflicts.
“The world clearly needs more peace and less violence. We owe a great debt and gratitude to the Mahatma because he showed that the peace and non-violence is a very potent weapon to secure peace.
“It does not necessarily have to be an eye for an eye, which as he said makes everybody blind. On behalf of the Federal Government gives a 100 and 50 cheers to India,” Onyeama said.
Onyeama also noted with great satisfaction the robust and huge bilateral relations between Nigeria and India, which according to him, both have a long economic and socio-cultural tie that dates back to the 60s.
He said that the trade partnership between both countries is moving with India now Nigeria’s largest trade partner, which has been of mutual interest to both countries.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said India has evolved into a model for developing countries, saying India has made great developments in many spheres and probably the number one destination for medical tourism in Nigeria.
Onyeama appreciated India for the 120 million line of credit given to assist Nigerian defense industry and in the fight against terrorism, which has further shown the solidarity between both countries.
Speaking earlier, India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria Abhay Thakur said that Gandhi was a global icon of peace and non-violence, whose life and message continues to guide the world and help in tackling the challenges of the contemporary world.
Thakur said that Gandhi Ji’s philosophies and teachings is what has made India succeeded and thrived as a diverse multi-religious and multi ethnic country of 1.3 billion people.
“Gandhi laid emphasis on the welfare of all as well as the lowest man.
“Gandhi Ji’s name concerns the bounds of his religion and nation’s state and as emerged as the prophetic voice of the 21st Century.
“The world remembers Mahatma not just for this passionate against the practice of non-violence and supreme humanism.
“But as the benchmark against which we test men and women in public life, political ideas and government policies and the hopes and wishes of our shared plans.
“It is Gandhi Ji’s philosophies and teachings that underpin today’s India as a diverse multi-religious and multi ethnic country of 1.3 billion people,” Thakur said.
In his remarks, Mr Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace Airlines said as a student on non-violence, who studied Gandhi, he used his philosophy to restore peace to Nigeria’s Niger Delta region in 2005, which helped in addressing militancy in the region.
“It was his philosophies, practices and principles that I used in the Niger Delta that brought about the fall off of violent militants when everything seemed to be falling apart”.
The ceremony ended with a presentation of 150 lamps to a Nigerian NGO, Ajike People Support Centre in Kwara State with the unveiling of the NIPOST commemorative stamp on Gandhi by Foreign Affairs Minister, Onyeama.
Edited By: Felix Ajide
Source: NAN
Mr Hakeem Odumosu, the Commissioner of Police(CP) in Lagos State, has assured the residents of the state of efficient and effective policing.
Odumosu gave the assurance on Wednesday when Mr Mike Umohe, the Zonal Manager of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) Lagos Zone and his team , paid a courtesy visit to the Command’s Headquarters in Ikeja.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) , SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The commissioner said that he had set in motion mechanisms to harness all available resources to solidify policing structure in Lagos State.
He said, “I assure you of adequate security of the postal service facilities across the 13 districts of NIPOST in Lagos.
“I promise to embrace any of your plans and other relevant ideologies that will promote robust intelligence-led and effective policing of Lagos State.”
Odumosu said that the command would welcome plans and facilities that could assist the police in intelligence gathering and crime fighting within and beyond the state.
Edited By: Emmanuel Nwoye/Peter Dada
Source: NAN
Debates on revenue collections from Stamp Duties between Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian Postal Service ( NIPOST) was brought to a close as FIRS submitted that it was backed by law to collect stamp duties.
Responsibility of stamp duties collection between FIRS and NIPOST was raised at an interactive session on the 2021- 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper ( FSP) organised by Joint Senate Committees on Finance and National Planing in Abuja on Thursday.
Also raised by the committee was why only N500 billion was projected as expected revenues from the stamp duties collection in 2021 budget by the FIRS.
The Chairman of the Joint Committee, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC Lagos West) had asked the FIRS Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami, whose responsibility it was to collect the stamp duties.
Adeola had also raised concerns on why N500 billion was projected as revenue collection for 2021 budget as against N1.5 trillion .
Nami, while responding, said there were two types of stamp duties which were the electronically related one and the adhesive ones stated in section 5(2) of the Stamp Duty Act .
Postage stamp, he explained was different from stamp duties payments noting that relevant laws empowered the FIRS to collect.
He said, though gaps in the stamp Duties Act, urgently needed to be addressed, right of collection for the electronic related ones had been legally given to FIRS by the National Assembly through the Finance Bill passed last year and assented to, by President Muhammadu Buhari as an act of parliament.
” Besides, stamp duties are more of tax collections which the FIRS , is constitutionally empowered by relevant provisions to carry out,” he said .
However, members of the committee raised issues on the N500 billion revenue projected for 2021 budget of FIRS, when parameters on groundnshowed that the agency could collect more.
Sen. Gabriel Suswam (PDP Benue -East) said thatbthe N500 billion projected as revenue from stamp duties by FIRS in the 2021 budget was too meagre to the realisation of the projected N12.6 trillion 2021 budget .
“The deficit in the projected budget is N5.1 trillion, requiring aggressive revenue generation internally by agencies such as FIRS in making the budget implementable,” he said..
Edited By: Chioma Ugboma/Kayode Olaitan (NAN)
