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 Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
