World Post Day
Dear Fellow,
Today is World Post Day!
Surprised? Well, yes, I guess. I was myself when I stumbled on the information some two months ago. A friend remarked, ‘There will soon be “a day” for everything in this world.’ Well, the wise man in Ecclesiastes already observed that.
To the point here. Today is the World Post Day. Every 9th of October is the date. According to the United Nations, World Post Day, like every other international day, is a day set aside for creating awareness of the postal services and the services it renders. It is celebrated across many countries in the world. However, I can’t say for Nigeria. I just knew about it myself not too long ago, right? Yet, I wish it was commemorated here. Also, the WPD, organises letter-writing competitions and the winners are often rewarded on the WPD.
If you have been on the “train” for a while now, you must have noticed my interest in the post office. Such a story to follow and be a part of. The post office has been one great place to acquire stories to tell—of the delays, the old edifices, and several mixed experiences—all of which I portrayed in the series titled “At the Post Office”.
For some reason, I still fancy the post office despite Gmail and the like. Despite my missing letters from last year via the post office and having to wait for three months until one of my first letters arrived at its destination. Writing letters (via the post office) is one great way to have an experience like those of our fathers. My experience so far has been worthwhile though.
Four weeks ago, I was at a programme where I read out loud an essay from the archives here—a piece by a friend, which has highlights of the post office and letter writing. The article stirred up a conversation about the postal service. The conversation stretched and dominated a good number of hours of the programme. Folks were arguing about the relevance of the post office, and whether it should be scrapped or revised. Too few were concerned and voted for the system to be revised. It was such an exciting time—that just a piece of writing can stir up a conversation as it did.
Also, at the programme, some mentioned the movie Klaus to make his point. The synopses:
Jesper, a selfish postman, is forced to relocate to Smeerensburg by his father. However, he joins hands with a reclusive toymaker, Klaus, to spread joy in the dark and dreary town. Source: Netflix
I was unable to see it before now. I really look forward to seeing the film. Interestingly, the guy who mentioned the film was speaking about the solutions the Nigeria Postal Services (NPS) can adopt from the film for adoption. How little things eventually teach us so much!
How will you commemorate World Postal Day at your end, now that you know it is recognised and endorsed by the UN? Perhaps this is the day for you to write to a loved one you have not heard from in a while. Write to a loved one (via SMS or e-Mail) and wish them a happy World Post Day. Get them to ask if there is a day such as World Post Day.
Before then, thank you for allowing me into your inbox.
Have a great day!
Your, LetterMan,
Tongjal, W. N.
Thanks for informing us about this development. I'll use the development to research into how the post office can be relevant towards tackling the issue of climate change, because the development of the world post day aims at also achieving a greener world devoid of the challenges posed by climate change.