FG Inaugurates Special Anti-Corruption Postage Stamps

The Federal Government on Monday inaugurated four special anti-corruption postage stamps created by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), to reinforce its resolve to wage total war corruption. Inaugurating the stamps at the NIPOST Headquarters in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr Babachir Lawal, said that the war against corruption was a collective one.

Buhari commended the agency for undertaking the task to create more awareness in the anti-corruption crusade by issuing the set of stamps. “The Federal Government is conscious of the vital role postage stamps play as powerful public relations tool; government recognises that by the features they bear, they serve as ambassadors for their countries.

“They supply information about countries’ cultures, histories, fauna, tourism, geography, artifacts and products and the most effective medium of immortalising important national events and monuments. “Therefore, we are prepared to support measures that will bring about a virile and efficient postal system in Nigeria.

“NIPOST Management is hereby challenged to be resilient and effective in the delivery of its services and products, so as to key into the present administration’s `Change Agenda’. Buhari urged all Nigerians, corporate organisations and all other critical stakeholders to embrace the use of adhesive/electronic postage stamps as a means of authenticating transactions of N1,000 and above.

“NIPOST is now positioned to be one of the highest non-oil revenue generating agencies of government; the time cannot be better than now to look for other sources of revenue for national development. “I enjoin Nigerians to maximize the advantage inherent in the usage of this set of four special anti-corruption stamps with the message `Say no to bribe, fraud, bunkering and theft.

“As a nation, if we truly desire to survive, it is imperative that we fight and get rid of this monster called corruption before it will kill us.” Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said the inauguration of the anti-corruption stamps was apt. According to him, it is a reflection of the zeal of the people to eliminate corrupt practices from the polity.

“The issuance of these postage stamps in support of the anti-corruption crusade, underscores the role of NIPOST in the socio-economic development of Nigeria. “The postage stamps will constantly remind the populace of the evils of corruption and the need to eliminate the scourge. “Government resolve to reform NIPOST is to strengthen the capacity of the institution to establish more outlets in unserved areas and also serve as shared services platform.

“This is to ensure that essential and efficient e-services will be delivered to the citizenry. Government is aware of the need to replicate modernised post offices with commercial orientation,’’ Shittu said. He, therefore urged all Nigerians to take advantage of the stamps to make a statement against corruption.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Postmaster-General, Mr Bisi Adegbuyi, said NIPOST would not relent in its efforts to support and project all laudable government projects and programmes.

Adegbuyi added that the aim of issuing the stamps was to carry the fight against corruption to the doorsteps of Nigerians and also deposit its landmark in the annals of global history.

The high point of the event was the presentation of the emblem of the four stamps to the president. NAN reports that a Dance and Drama Community Development Service group of the National Youth Service Corps Batch A, presented a drama depicting how the stamp can be used to curb corruption.