The Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST on Friday joins the rest of the world to celebrate this year World Post Day (WPD) on October 9, 2020. The WPD is a day set aside to mark the founding of the universal postal union on October 9, 1874.
One of the programmes slated for this year WPD in Nigeria is the public presentation of the compendium of Nigerian Postage stamps 1914-2014, which was performed by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy; Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Patami.
This came as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, unveiled the stamp compendium of NIPOST in commemoration of the Post Day.
Also, Post-Master General of the Federation, Ismail Adewusi, announced the inauguration of surveillance teams in major post offices for mail security and the fight against scam mails.
Adewusi said the deployment of surveillance teams was part of efforts to check the activities of fraudsters who use post offices to carry out dubious business transactions.
He said a scanning machine stationed at the International Mail Processing Centre, Ikeja, Lagos was detecting volumes of out-bound posted materials containing prohibited items.
The NIPOST boss, however, noted that it was impossible to claim 100 per cent success in the agency’s fight against the unscrupulous activities of fraudsters.
Adewusi said the agency was doing its best to gain public trust, adding that in NIPOST’s efforts to secure mails and other cargoes, cages had been erected with the use of tarpaulin to cover all items in custody before dispatching.
He said, “As part of efforts to check the activities of fraudsters who use the post office to carry out dubious business transactions, we have put in place surveillance teams in all major post offices across the country.
“They are to oversee the processing, bagging and dispatching of both local and international mail items.”
On some of the prohibited items being detected by NIPOST, Adewusi said they include but not limited to fake currencies both in naira and dollars, forged cheques, international passports, money orders, among others.
The compendium is a philatelic manifestation of Nigeria history over a period of hundred years. The book put together by NIPOST and TACOMS international Ltd is a presentation of images of postage stamps issued by Nigeria from 1914-2014. It contains a concise narrative about each stamp which covers the political history, culture, economic activities, flora and fauna as well as other important aspects of Nigerian life since its inception as a country.
The Postmaster General of the Post, Dr Ismail Adewusi said by virtue of its philatelic policy, NIPOST over the years has projected Nigeria’s image and identity at national, regional and international levels which cover such areas as the history, economy, politics, international relations, people’s diversities, and environmental issues among others.
According to him, one of the objectives of the compendium project is to present a well-researched document on the historical antecedents of Nigeria as recorded through the lens of postage stamps, where historians, researchers, philatelists, knowledge seekers, students and individuals shall find very useful and educative information about Nigeria, most especially in the last one hundred years.
He said the publication is expected to meet the aspirations of philatelists and the general public worldwide who may want to know details of Nigerian Stamps since 1914.
‘‘This book will serve as a legacy project, promote Nigerian image home and abroad, provide a medium for education and research and promote philatelic education in Nigeria. ‘‘The compendium tells the true story of Nigeria from 100years. It is educative, entertaining and informative,’’ he said. Adewusi who expressed commitment to the full turn around of the POST said his administration is committed to full implementation of the government reform plan for a reformed NIPOST.
