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By Samuel Adegoke
The Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Postal Service, Dr. Ismail Adewusi, has promised to upgrade facilities at the Postal Institute, Benin, the Edo State capital.
A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communication, Mr Franklin Alao, noted that Adewusi made this commitment on Wednesday during his fact-finding visit to the institute.
The institute was established in 1985 after NIPOST was separated from Post & Telecoms (P&T). Its mandate is to train personnel for skills needed at NIPOST with some serving as back-up for the agency. It also trains personnel of other organizations on request.
During his visit to the institute on Wednesday, Adewusi inspected the facilities as he was conducted round by the Director, Mr. Anjorin Julius.
Commenting, Adewusi said: “It is very important for us to make this institute functional because it is geared towards skills development and capacity building for workers and we are determined to pursue that prospect and we are going to succeed.”
Lamenting that the facility has degenerated over the years, the NIPOST boss declared that the agency would revitalize it in its pursuit of capacity development for NIPOST staff, who he said are crucial to achieving the goal of making the agency a central part of digital and communication economy. Adewusi added that the institute’s capacity to generate revenue through training consultancy service would also be deliberately boosted.
He said: “It is unfortunate that we are operating in this kind of environment but we are determined to make it functional. As you can see, most of the infrastructures are in a bad state and total disrepair. The roads and some of the buildings are in a terrible state and we need urgent remedial action and also do some serious renovation of the property so that we can achieve the mandate of the institution.”
While acknowledging that paucity of funds is a challenge for all government agencies, Adewusi promised to change the face of the institute within the agency’s financial ability because of its strategic importance to the agenda of the new administration.
“NIPOST we will do everything within our power to ensure that the place is transformed and serve the dream of the founding fathers.” He vowed.