Oluwanifemi Ojo
As the deadline for the exchange of old and new naira notes draws closer, the Central Bank Of Nigeria has sought the help of traditional rulers to accelerate the sensitisation about the new note.
The new note which possess security features that make them difficult to counterfeit has been circulating since December 15, while the old note is expected to phase out by January 31, 2023.
The Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, Uyo branch, Akwa Ibom State, Itohan Mercy Ogbomon-Paul, has requested the assistance of the traditional rulers to help enlighten members of their community on the new notes and the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria in their respective communities.
Ogbomon-Paul made this appeal when she led other officials of CBN from Abuja and Uyo branch on a courtesy visit to the palace of the OkuIbom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, Edidem Solomon Etuk.
After presenting the newly designed note, flyers and pamphlets, to the Okulbom, the Branch Controller explained to the monarch that the old bank notes 1000, 500 and 200 which are currently being used is expected to phase out completely by January 31st.
In her words, “We are here for the Central Bank of Nigeria sensitisation on the redesigned notes. As we speak, some of our officials are already going round the local government areas.
“We actually started the sensitisation drive since Wednesday in Uyo, but as we are here today, we said we will first come to pay homage to you and then continue with other local government areas that we have not been to.”
She particularly urged the traditional rulers to help disseminate the information and enlighten their subjects on the plans of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“I will send the town criers immediately across the communities to disseminate the message on the deadline to the people. And on the day that we’ll be having traditional council meeting in Uyo, I will invite you to come and sensitise them on the cashless policy,” the traditional ruler said.
