Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) says postage stamps are essential assets in the components of the economy of every country and a crucial infrastructure for development.

The Postmaster General (PMG) of the Federation/CEO of NIPOST, Dr Sunday Adepoju, stated this on Saturday in Abuja at the unveiling of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) commemorative stamp.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African commemorative postage stamp was launched on Saturday to mark the inauguration of the PAPU tower in Arusha, Tanzania .

The PAPU tower is a new 17-story building for Africa’s continental body. PAPU is responsible for coordinating postal development in Africa.

Represented by Dr Thomas Gaga, NIPOST’s Director of Planning and Business Development, Adepoju said: “Today, we are celebrating the history, cultural heritage and diversity of the African continent.

“NIPOST in conjunction with PAPU member States today released a single postage stamp that is N 250 in value with a surcharge of N5.

“ Being an African Joint Stamp Issue, all member States of the Union are required to incorporate into the design, an iconic emblem or national natural artifact of their choice in their respective countries.”

He added that the Nigerian version of the Stamp depicted the historic Zuma Rock, juxtaposed against the PAPU Tower located in Arusha, Tanzania.

Adepoju said that PAPU chose postage stamps as part of the activities lined up, adding,”because postage stamps are an effective means to supply information about a country’s history, culture and people.

“Postage stamps are often described as miniature encyclopedias and living reminders of events.

“ The aim of the joint stamp issue is to promote African heritage and events.”

Adepoju promised that NIPOST would be consistent in ensuring that major events in Nigerian history were documented for posterity through the issuance of commemorative stamps.

NAN reports that a total of 250, 000, horizontal format stamps were released on September 2, they were designed and printed by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

TOLU/BRM

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) is set to collaborate with an Information Communication Technology (ICT) company known as ‘Educatial’ to have a skilled, competent and responsible public service.

The Director-General of BPSR, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, on Friday in Abuja said the collaboration was a development to revolutionise the public service.

According to Arabi, the e-government master plan of the Federal Government has pre-empted Educatial’s initiative.

“The collaboration is solidified in the signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bureau and Educatial.

“So our engagement, discussion and work with you are based on the tenants of e-government Master Plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“I stand before you with a great sense of optimism and purpose as we normalised our partnership through the signing of this MoU,” he said.

He said that the agency understood that a well-equipped and skilled work force was the backbone of every thriving nation.

“It is imperative to equip them with skills to exceed the ever overloading demands of the world.

“Educatial with it comprehensive solution encompassing hardware, software infrastructure, housing and support, share a vision for a more capable and competent public service.

“This partnership is not just about acquiring technology.  It is about equipping our work force with the tools and skills necessary to excel on the global stage,” Arabi stressed.

He explained that the Bureau had clear expectations that `Educatial’ would deliver specialised courses that are tailored to unique means of the public servants.

Arabia stressed that the courses should serve as catalyst for enhancing public servants’ skills, competence and professionalism.

“It is our firm believe that investment in our work force will lead to improved quality of government services, greater efficiency and 0increase effectiveness in our citizens.

“We look onto you not only as an education resource, but as partner of a journey to transform and elevate the standard of public service of the country.

“Let us remember that signing of the MoU is not a mere formality. It is a commitment and an affirmation of our shared vision for a more skilled, competent and responsible public service,” Arabi said.

Speaking earlier, the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Educatial, Mr Fancis Muofunanya, said his company dedicated to revolutionising the education landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our commitment to transformative learning has led us to develop a cutting-edge ‘EdTech SaaS Ecosystem’, tailored to meet the unique challenges of education in Nigeria and Africa.

“We come together with a shared purpose, to harness the power of education and technology to empower government employees and enhance their capabilities.

“We recognize the immense value of a skilled and efficient public workforce in shaping the nation’s trajectory. Our partnership will see the integration of Educatial’s advanced tools into the training programs for government employees.

“This integration will not only equip them with cutting-edge skills but also optimize their performance in service delivery,” Muofunanya said.

He explained that Educatial was committed to tailoring bespoke solutions that cater to the specific training and development needs of various government agencies.

He added that Educatial’s objective aligns seamlessly with the Bureau’s mission to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service through skill development.

“As we unite our expertise and resources, we have the potential to create a more responsive and adept public sector workforce, capable of steering Nigeria toward its rightful place of eminence on the global stage.

“As we embark on this journey of collaboration, innovation, and progress, let us remember that the transformation of our nation’s public service is not just a task but a collective responsibility.

“Together, we have the capacity to mould a public sector that is not only proficient but also visionary, a sector that leads by example and sets new standards of excellence,” Muofunanya said.

News Agency reports that the MoU was signed by Arabi, Muofunanya and the legal advisers from the Bureau and Educatial. (NAN)

CMY/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Olajide Idowu/Joshua Oladipo
Mrs Nafisat Muideen, the mother of a five-month-old baby killed by Alsatian dog at Hallelujah Estate, Osogbo, Osun on Wednesday, said there was no timely rescue during the attack.

Muideen, 28, narrated her ordeals while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at her residence on Thursday in Osogbo.

The grieving mother explained that she was attacked at about 1.45p.m on her way to a pharmacy shop to buy drugs for her sick daughter.

She said that on her way to the pharmacy shop, she heard a sound from behind and immediately she turned back, the dog jumped on her and attacked the baby trapped in her back.

According to her, the dog pulled the baby from her back and while she was trying to save the baby, she was overpowered by the dog, “because the dog is huge.”

She said there was nobody around when she was being attacked and that by the time people came out to rescue her, the dog had killed the baby.

“My baby had catarrh earlier and I contracted it from her.

”I went out carrying my baby in the back to get drugs for myself and the baby.

“On my way out, I heard a sound from behind, by the time I turned round to check, a dog jumped from behind and attacked the baby.

“The people that came to my rescue managed to kill the dog, but by the time my baby was pulled out from under the dog, she was already dead,” she explained sobbing.

Muideen said that after the attack, she was taken to a nearby hospital before she was later taken to the police clinic, Oke-Fia, Osogbo, for treatment.

Also, the husband of the victim, Oyegbade Muideen, demanded for the identity of the owner of the dog.

Mr Adekola Timothy, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Osun command, confirmed the incident.

“Yes, the incident happened and the police are currently searching for the owner of the dog,” he said .

NAN learnt that the killer dog escaped from its cage, in an uncompleted building close to the victim’s house.

The owner of the uncompleted building was said to be unknown to residents of the area. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Tayo Ikujuni

By Stephen Adeleye
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, has urged the Federal Government to take proactive action to curb the menace of kidnapping of doctors across the country.

The Chairman of MDCAN, FTH Lokoja, Dr. Collins Egbeola, made the call while speaking with journalists after a procession by MDCAN members in the hospital to mark the “White Ribbon Day”, on Friday.

Egbeola said the essence of the White Ribbon Day was to call attention to the plight of medical health personnel, particularly doctors, as related to kidnapping.

“On daily basis, one begins to wonder what the life of a human being is worth in Nigeria. It is true that there is hardly any society that is absolutely free of crime.

“However, the situation in Nigeria in recent times has assumed alarming proportions that it is no longer healthy to sit on the fence or be indifferent.

“Kidnapping of people on highways, in homes or at work has continued to be a growing concern of cancerous dimension. People’s lives irrespective of tribe, religion or affiliation are being wasted.

“It is sad to note that health personnel, doctors especially, are now becoming targets of those involved in this unwholesome act,” he said.

The MDCAN chairman noted that one of its members, Prof. Ephraim Philip of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar, had been in captivity since July 13, 2023 with no certain information concerning her state, whether dead or alive.

“It is regretful that those who kidnapped her and other doctors generally do not entertain any consideration for them, their families and loved ones.

“It is not better in our own dear state, as doctors and other health personnel have had their own share of this unfortunate experience,” Egbeola said.

He, however, commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for changing the tide in Kogi due to his unwavering and intentional effort in the area of ensuring security of lives and safety of properties of residents.

He urged the governor not to relent in making Kogi, a state where kidnappings would be a thing of the past, with zero worries.

“This White Ribbon Day is a modest effort to call attention to the plight of our other Hippocratic brothers and sisters generally abducted and held against their wish in captivity, and Dr Ephraim in particular.

“We identify with her family, friends and colleagues. We plead with her abductors to allow the milk of kindness flow through them and release her unharmed.

“We call on the government of Cross River to do all within its power to enable Dr. Ephraim Philip return to her loved ones in peace and in health,” he said.

Egbeola called on all well-meaning Nigerians to collaborate and cooperate with security agencies to make their work easier.

In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), FTH, Lokoja, Dr Olatunde Alabi, said the hospital management had made deliberate effort to improve the security of both the staff and patients who patronised the facility.

Alabi, who was represented by Dr Bernard Ododo, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), said the hospital management had engaged security experts to sensitise the staff on security tips and awareness on how to stay safe.

The CMD enjoined the Federal and state governments to continue to strengthen and empower the security agencies to effectively protect the citizens, especially health personnel.

He called on the security agencies and the relevant stakeholders to ensure that their abducted member in Cross Rivers regained her freedom. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Oluyinka Fadare

By Ruth Oketunde

Data-Lead Africa, a consulting firm,  has trained 20 deaf children on various digital skills in the FCT.

The organisation said this at the graduation ceremony for the participants of its Summer Boot Camp tagged Digits and Signs for Deaf Kids, in Abuja.

Ms Ojone Akor, Programs Manager and DEI Coordinator, Data-Lead Africa, said the four the  week-long boot camp focused on improving the digital skills of the children.

She said the training focused on creating change in the deaf community by introducing the participants to cross-cutting issues around inclusion and social initiatives.

She said that the training focused on improving the IT skills, knowledge of mathematics as well as programming skills of the children to equip them for the future.

“When we started, we noticed that some of them struggled with things like greater than and less than, two-digits addition, they also had no experience using computer, but we have been able to educate them on these things.

“I am very much excited about the fact that we have been able to empower the deaf kids through digits and signs programme on the use of mathematics and computer in this digital age.

“For the digit and signs programme, this is our pilot programme as we wanted to see how we will reach out to deaf kids and how we will be able to empower them and catch them young.

“So we partnered with the Abuja School for the Deaf and we got the participants to come in for the training, so subsequently, we will be organising more programmes like this and increase the number of participants to be able to reach out to as many as possible,” she said.

Akor said that the organisation would be deploying some of its trainers to follow-up with the children and mentor them for the next six months, in a bid to improve their academic performance.

“We are in a digital age and everything is driven by data and everything you are doing is driven by IT and information, so being able empower them while they are young is a thing of joy to us.

“We have modern aid tools used for analysis, programming among others, so bringing these children into this type of training gives them an edge among their peers,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Bamidele Olaitan, the Assistant Head Teacher of Abuja School for the Deaf, appreciated the organisation for the training, adding that the new skills learnt would place them aper with their peers in other climes.

“Engaging the children during this holiday is a kudos to the organisers and I know that what they have learnt today will be meaningful to their future.

“This is not about learning it alone, they can as well practice it, especially the less privileged among them loves any thing that has to do with skill acquisition.

“I believe that what this organisation have done for them will not be the end of it, we will want to have more partnership with them so that they can train more students during their long vacation,” he said.

Miss Gami Nanring, a participant who spoke through an interpreter, appreciated the organisers for the training, adding that her desire is to work as a computer technologist in the future.

“I always want to learn new things, all I need is to do more training and learn more things about computer and I know I can develop better.

“We were taught PowerPoint, Microsoft word and many more things, they made it more easy to understand and comprehend,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza