The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) is seeking to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Interior to use its facilities for the delivery of international passports and other critical documents.
The Postmaster General of the Federation/CEO of NIPOST; Miss. Tola Odeyemi stated this when she paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Rt. Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo at the Ministry of Interior, headquarters, Abuja.
According to a statement from NIPOST, Odeyemi believes that the partnership would deepen existing inter-agency collaboration by leveraging NIPOST’s vast network for e-fulfilment services in Nigeria.
This partnership, if successful, would reflect part of the changes Nigerians have been clamouring for in putting NIPOST’s facilities to good use.
Odeyemi’s 3-point agenda
NIPOST in the statement released on Wednesday said Odeyemi’s visit was aimed at fostering partnership, and opening channels of synergy between the two organizations based on her three-point agenda which includes “Delivery of critical document i.e., International Passport, Backend services for processing of passport utilizing NIPOST selected locations, and the use of NIPOST for Address Verification System (AVS).”
- “The NIPOST boss concluded by soliciting the Ministry’s partnership in utilizing the NIPOST network for the delivery of critical documents to citizens in the country and in the diaspora. She said the role of NIPOST is strategic in enhancing security, which is crucial to the development of the nation, in addition to fulfilling the Nation’s quest to grow the digital economy,” the statement read.
In his response, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was said to have congratulated the Postmaster General on her well-deserved appointment and expressed the confidence that with her expertise she will drive the organization to greater heights.
- “He pledged to support the Postmaster General to succeed, as he is committed to seeing to the fulfilment of the collaboration with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). He emphasized that the office of the Minister is always accessible for productive strategic partnership and the Ministry will continue to explore ways and cultivate collaboration that would help in fulfilling his mandate to Nigerians,” the NIPOST said in the statement.
Expectations of a new NIPOST
Before Odeyemi’s appointment, Nigerians had listed the changes they expected to see at NIPOST under the leadership of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijan. The suggestions for a reformed NIPOST came at the behest of the Minister, who sought the Nigerian’s opinion on what an ideal NIPOST should be.
Critical among the suggestions was that NIPOST should function like the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and become a powerhouse to drive e-commerce growth.
If this proposal is eventually granted, I just hope this will not be another ground for extortion. Without any hesitation, I am sure Nigerians including me know how immigration officers withhold applicants’ passports because of illegal extra charges(bribery).
Considering the approach with a view of the global match-up, it is a pro active step to behold but I pray it will work in Nigeria. Honestly, I am just imagining the NIPOST may hold on to a claim that they have not received peoples Passports from the Immigrations while the Immigrations could as well say that they have sent applicants Passports to the NIPOST. In short, I pray it will yield a positive result if it is considered.