It was an historic moment as Ms Tola Odeyemi assumed office as the Postmaster-General of the Federation at the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) on Monday.
Earlier in the day, her resumption was greeted with protests by workers of NIPOST who had insisted that her appointment was not in line with their wish.
Hours later, however, Odeyemi assumed the role as the first woman to occupy the office since NIPOST’s establishment in 1985.
Embarking on the journey at the organization’s helm amid mixed emotions and high expectations, Odeyemi pledged to honour and expand upon the legacy of her predecessors, propelling NIPOST to new heights both nationally and internationally.
She disclosed that her vision for the postal service encompasses leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency across various branches, including logistics and e-commerce, as she addressed the management staff.
Acknowledging that her appointment had not been without controversy, she recalled that last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through his spokesperson, had relieved her immediate predecessor, Mr. Adeyemi Adepoju from his position and subsequently appointed her, she said this was considered a noble honour.
This led the protests by the workers shutting down the organization’s headquarters arguing that Adepoju’s major reforms, initiated in less than a year, should have been allowed to continue.
President of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE), Buba Nehemiah, then articulated the concerns of the workers, emphasizing that it was based on the need for continuity, which has received acclaim, and they feel such should not be abruptly terminated, as it would potentially disrupt the organization and contribute to the country’s security challenges.
Odeyemi, calming the staff, eventually gained entry into the office around 1.00pm and promptly engaged in discussions with top directors, highlighting her commitment to addressing the employees’ concerns and fostering collaboration to uplift NIPOST.
Speaking later with journalists, Odeyemi expressed her determination to ensure NIPOST’s evolution into a world-class e-commerce and logistics hub, emphasizing the significance of preserving its legacy while driving innovation, modernization and transformation in line with the current administration’s renewed hope mantra.
The woman, who is bringing over 15 years of invaluable career experience garnered from both public and private sectors cutting across technology policies and government regulatory roles, said her vision for NIPOST promises a blend of continuity, innovation and progress.
She said: “I appeal for cooperation in delivering postal services that cater to the diverse needs of Nigerians, regardless of their locations. And with my appointment, the NIPOST is poised to embrace new era of leadership as it navigates the dynamic landscape of modern postal services and technology-driven logistics.”
