Olusegun Adeyemo
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Post Day on 9th of October the State Postal Manager of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Mrs Umossoh Feyisara, has stressed the need for renewed commitment to strengthening postal services in both rural and urban areas.
Mrs Feyisara made this known in an interview with the Journal Nigeria.
This year’s theme, “A Post for People Local Service, Global Reach,” underscores the importance of ensuring postal services remain accessible to all, regardless of location.
“The theme highlights the need to ensure the post is truly for the people,” said Feyisara. “From the most urban centres to the remotest villages, the impact and effectiveness of postal services must be felt.”
According to her, Nigeria already has at least one post office in every local government area, a testament to the country’s dedication to universal access.
However, she emphasized that more needs to be done to sensitize citizens about the value and availability of postal services.
“We want the people to understand that the post is for everyone, men, women, young or old. Whatever your needs, the post is available and ready to serve,” she added.
Despite these achievements, Mrs Feyisara, acknowledged that the Nigerian Postal Service continues to face several challenges. Among the most pressing are economic constraints, staffing issues, and infrastructural difficulties, particularly in remote or insecure regions.
“Like every organization, we face our share of difficulties. We are affected by the global economy and national economic trends. Whatever affects the nation, affects the post,” she noted.
In areas where security concerns or poor infrastructure hinder movement, deploying personnel and delivering services becomes increasingly difficult, depriving communities of critical postal access.
“Nigeria is vast. There are places where human and operational deployment is nearly impossible, and this creates gaps in service delivery,” she explained.
As part of the World Post Day observance, Mrs Feyisara, made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to offer stronger support for the postal sector.
“We are calling on the government to invest more in the postal infrastructure, especially in rural areas. The post is a vital part of national development. It is not just about sending letters, it connects lives, supports commerce, and ensures communication,” she urged.
She also highlighted the need for better security and transportation systems, especially in underserved areas, to help facilitate smoother postal operations.
World Post Day, celebrated annually on October 9, commemorates the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874. It serves as a reminder of the vital role postal services play in connecting people and communities around the world.
“The post is a way of life,” Mrs Feyisara, concluded. “As we celebrate World Post Day, let us remember that the future of the post depends on how well we serve people locally while reaching out globally.”