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Banks customers lament limited access to new Naira in Kebbi

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2023

New Naira notes

Banks’ customers in Birnin Kebbi, who thronged commercial banks to either deposit or withdraw money, were held up in long queues as many from different towns and villages to beat up deadline set by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) experienced difficulties.

Daily investigation in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital show that customers in their large numbers were sighted at different banks trying to gain access into the banking halls or to the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to withdraw new notes.

Speaking to newsmen, at one of the commercial bank in Birnin Kebbi, Malam Musa Gero from Kukaru, Gulma in Argungu Local Government Area of the state said he had been on queue since 6:00a.m. but yet without access to the bank.

“I have been here for over five hours waiting in the queue to deposit my money. As I am talking to you I am number 260 because the bank officials have written our names and issued numbers to all of us, so, we are still waiting,” he said.

He appealed to the Federal Government to consider the plights of Nigerians and extend the time to accommodate all, failing which many people would be counting losses even before the deadline. Gero recalled that he was a die-hard Buharist before his emergence as president, “but that his policies seem to be contrary to the needs of the masses.

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Also in an interview at First Bank premises, Malam Muktar Sambo from Zogirma village, Bunza Local Government Area, lamented that in the whole of the area they didn’t have a single bank to be able to do any transaction.

He said: “We travel all the way from Bunza to come here and deposit our money since we do not have anywhere to keep our money. “The timing is so short because they said 31st of this month, we came here to withdraw N100,000 but they said a person can only withdraw N40,000 at the ATM machines.

“What kind of wickedness is this, somebody with his own money cannot withdraw N100,000 as stipulated by the apex bank. We are appealing to government to rescind its decision by extending the period to enable Nigerians enjoy their hard earned wealth.”

For his part, Malam Ibrahim Hassan, from Birnin Kebbi local government area, said he had been on the queue of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) since 7:00a.m. to deposit his money in order to beat the Jan. 31 deadline.

“I am one of those who came first to the bank to deposit money, I have been here before 7:00a.m. but I still have more than 100 people in my front on the queue,” he said.

Hassan decried the non-availability of the new Naira notes in circulation in the state and called on the government to review its policy or extend the deadline.

“Even in the bank now if you want to withdraw money they still give you old Naira notes. This is to tell you that even the banks are in short supply of the new Naira notes.

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“I am appealing to CBN to review its policy or extend the deadline by some months for people to have their money changed or deposited in banks.

“Failure to heed to the aforesaid plea may lead to stampede and even deaths but I am not praying for that to happen” he said.

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has asked the the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give adequate sensitisation on the currency rebranding to checkmate negative impacts on its end users especially traders in the rural and riverine communities .

Governor Emmanuel , who made the advocacy while addressing worshippers at the January 2023 edition of Government House Prayer Summit held at Latter House Chapel , Governor’s Lodge – Uyo, at the weekend

applauded the currency rebranding, even as he said it was “hasty and inconsiderate” of many people particularly given the infrastructure gap and peculiarities of the vast rural and riverine population.

He warned against stifling the grassroots economy in trying to implement a seemingly welcome development.

Mr Emmanuel observed that the old currency notes were already becoming scarce while the new notes were yet to be adequately circulated, expressingworries over inadequate sensitisation to ensure that traders at the rural and riverine communities are carried along and not get stranded in the market with the old notes. Sun

Related Topics:Banks Featured Kebbi Naira

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INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Published

8 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

metro

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Published

8 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.

He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.

He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.

He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.