NIPOST Wins Contract To Disburse ₦ 5,000 Welfare Package To Vulnerable Citizens

The Federal Government has awarded the contract for the cash transfer of ₦ 5,000 to the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) under the present administration's  social welfare package to the most vulnerable people in the society.

Under the new contract, NIPOST is expected  to dispense the ₦ 5,000 cash to the poor in three states; Nasarawa, Benue and Anambra.

The Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST , Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi made the disclosure on Tuesday in Oyo Town at the occasion of the 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.

According to 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 ₦ 5,000, every month, and because NIPOST has transformed and leveraging on technology , we were  awarded  the cash disposal of ₦5,000 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", Adegbuyi noted.

Barrister Adegbuyi informed the gathering that the present administration led by President Mohammadu Buhari has embarked on people oriented programmes to improve the social welfare of the vulnerable poor in the country.

While speaking on the World  Post Day theme, "The Post: Delivering good to the world", Adegbuyi said "Its not just a question of NIPOST alone as the World Post Day is celebrated in 192 countries that belong to Universal Postal Union to bring to the fore the achievement of the 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 Wema 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 areas. The financially excluded, the un-banked, the under- banked.

It is believed that adults make up about 41 percent of Nigeria's population.

"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 is trending 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 180 million 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 safe if you send it through NIPOST. It is a great pleasure to continue to identify and relate with NIPOST," the royal father said.

- Kunle Gazali 

Comments