General
NIPOST, NPC Seal Deal to Digitize Nigerian Postcodes
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed to digitalise Nigerian postcodes has been sealed between the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) and the National Population Commission (NPC).
The Director-General of NIPOST, Mr Ismail Adewusi, while sealing the deal in Abuja on Thursday, explained that the reason for this is to transition the system to a digital platform from analogue to create more efficiency and functionality.
Mr Adewusi said that NPC played a critical role in ensuring a seamless roll-out of digitalised postcodes for Nigeria to enhance service delivery.
Postal code, also known as postcode, refers to a group of numbers or letters which are added to a postal address to assist the purpose of sorting mail.
Mr Adewusi said his agency introduced a postcode system in 1986 but recently changed the system to a digital platform to create more efficiency and functionality.
“NIPOST introduced a postcode system in 1986 to enhance mail collection, processing, distribution and delivery but the present effort is aimed at transitioning the system to a digital platform to create more efficiency and functionality.
“Of a certainty, such advanced addressing system will promote the proper functioning of not just the postal sector,” he said.
The NIPOST DG said that the new postcode remains a critical national infrastructure, especially in a developing country such as Nigeria, where the lack of street names and property numbering hinders the ability to meet public and business expectations.
“We are not unaware of the difficulties which service providers in Nigeria face, due to the lack of an efficient addressing system in the country.
“It is a critical infrastructure for meeting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals of poverty reduction, disease control and provision of basic services such as water and electricity,” he said.
On his part, the NPC Chairman, Mr Nasir Kwarra, said that the digital postcodes would provide a relentless drive with digital solutions to manage operations more efficiently at a reduced cost.
Mr Kwarra said that poor technology was a major challenge for managers, especially in a large and complex networked industry that delivered a wide range of products and services.
“With the cooperation and support of the National Population Commission, we embark on the process of enhancing the postcode, leveraging technology.
“In collaboration with NIPOST, we drew up entities in a manner that ensure every part of the country is effectively captured, using a systematic framework,” he said.
The new Nigerian postal codes are alphanumeric as well as web-based and can be used on Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
The code of each region in Nigeria is captured in the code, while the second and third digits when combined with the first, make up the dispatch district for out sorting.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s cocoa output is projected to fall by 11 per cent to 305,000 tons in the 2025-2026 harvest season, Bloomberg reported on Monday.
Cocoa is one of Nigeria’s agricultural products, with the country ranked among the top five producers in the world.
The country’s output could be down by a difference of 39,000 tons from a projected 344,000 tons in the current season, which ends in September.
According to the publication, this development is part of a wider problem among West African producers which will see the region head into another disappointing harvest.
Bloomberg said despite favourable weather in previous seasons, structural constraints including aging cocoa trees and crop diseases may continue to limit output and keep prices high.
According to Mr Mufutau Abolarinwa, the head of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, changing weather patterns have delayed key rainfall and strong winds have damaged fresh flowers and young cherelles.
He added that these have reduced the number of pods that could have contributed to output.
According to Bloomberg, while the situation is bleaker for Nigeria, it is comparatively better for bigger producers like Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.
In Cote d’Ivoire, the biggest producer, is projected to collect 1.4 million tons during the main crop harvest between October and March, which is about in line with the expected total for this season’s main crop.
In neighboring Ghana, where the harvest begins this month, the output is projected at 620,000 tons, well below the country’s historical peak.
Cameroon is an anomaly with production expected to rise 12 per cent to 300,000 tons, according to the country’s Cocoa and Coffee Interprofessional Council.
The result means global cocoa supply will likely stay tight and prices will rise, even as weaker demand offers some relief following an estimated 40,000-ton shortfall this year.
According to analysts, JPMorgan forecasts prices staying above $6,000 a ton, while Citi expects $7,000 in the next year , which more than double the long-term norm.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Government has listed 176 estate developments spread across the state as illegal, giving them 21 days to process their layout approvals.
In a document published by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on Monday, owners and developers of these estates described as illegal failed to register with the appropriate agencies before embarking on the projects.
In the notice signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Physical Planning, Mr Oluwole Sotire, the importance of all developers and real estate practitioners registering with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), which is responsible for regulating, coordinating, and monitoring real estate practitioners in the sector, was emphasised.
The notice listed the illegal estates, mostly located in the Eti-Osa, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe axis of the state, as Adron Homes, Elerangbe; Aina Gold Estate, Okun-Folu; Diamond Estate, Eputu; Prime Water View Garden, Ikate Elegushi; Lekki Palms Estate, Olomowewe; Living Spring Estate, Lafiaji; Atlantic View Estate, Lekki; Yomade Heritage, Epe Road; and Royal View Estate, Ikota, among others.
The developers have been asked to submit the necessary documents to Mr Sotire within 21 days at the Ministry of Planning and Urban Development in Alausa, Ikeja, for the necessary layout approvals.
Below are all the affect estates;
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have separately condemned the recent order for the closure of Badeggi Radio by Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State.
Business Post reports that the Niger State Governor had stripped Badeggi FM radio station of its license and allegedly threatened to demolish the station’s premises over its allegations of inciting violence in the state.
On its part, NGE, which is the apex body of editors in Nigeria, said in a statement that the governor’s action was a “blatant attack on press freedom and democracy.”
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the guild‘s President, Mr Eze Anaba, and its General Secretary, Mr Onuoha Ukeh said, “This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society where free press is essential for holding those in power accountable,” adding that the governor acted outside his powers to order the closure of a radio station.
“The power to sanction television and radio stations only lies with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the code.
“We are happy that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, has pointed this out.
“This should go beyond observing the anomaly. The Federal Government should order the unsealing of the premises of the radio station, while investigation is carried out.”
The statement said arbitrary closure of media houses was a reminder of the dark days of military rule.
It, however, noted that Mr Bago’s allegation of incitement of violence by the radio station was a serious issue which had to be investigated and proven before any action could be taken.
“We urge the media to operate under strict adherence to the code of ethics of journalism, with responsible conduct at the back of the minds of the professionals,” it said.
The statement called on the authorities to take measures to respect the rights of citizens to access information and express themselves freely.
On its part, SERAP urged Governor Bago to “immediately reverse the arbitrary and unlawful decision to strip Badeggi FM radio station of its licence, reinstate the station’s licence, and withdraw your threat to demolish the station’s premises”
The organisation said: “Your vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations of ‘inciting violence’ against Badeggi FM and its owner are apparently made to silence the radio station and its owner.”
SERAP said, “Silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a fundamental breach of your constitutional oath of office and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
“Silencing Badeggi FM and its owner would have a chilling effect on the protection of freedom of expression and media freedom across several states.”
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