New Naira notes: CBN intensifies sensitisation at major markets, stores across Nigeria – Newstrends
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New Naira notes: CBN intensifies sensitisation at major markets, stores across Nigeria

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New Naira Notes

To guarantee the success of the cashless policy and usage of the new naira notes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has deepened sensitisation at all major markets across the country.

In Abuja, the apex bank officials visited Wuse and Garki markets, the two major ones in Abuja. Speaking at the Garki market, CBN Director and Managing Director of NIRSAL Micro-Finance Bank, Abubakar Abdullahi Kure, told the traders and other stakeholders to ensure they empty the old notes in their possession at the banks, while using other banking channels for their transactions.

He added that the new policy would help control inflation, as it would bring the hoarded currency into the banking system, thereby making monetary policy more effective.

“It will also help with better design and implementation of monetary policy as we will have much more accurate data on money supply and monetary aggregates.

“We believe that this exercise would help in increasing financial inclusion, moving towards a more cashless economy, and ensuring greater formalization of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

He assured that the banks would be closely monitored, adding that those found culpable of hoarding and diverting the new notes will be sanctioned.

He said: “We’re taking stock to know those getting new notes and what they are disbursing or why they’re not disbursing. We’re monitoring to know whether the banks are hoarding, diverting or not even picking the new money.

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“Appropriate penalties will be meted out where infractions are determined,” he said.

On possible extension of the deadline, Kure said: “At this point, I can’t say yes or no.”

He added that there has been massive deployment of CBN directors across the country to deepen sensitisation on new naira notes and cash restriction.

He further revealed that the apex bank was consulting with religious leaders and traditional rulers to secure their buy-in and ultimately make the initiative a success.

Stakeholders in the market appealed to the apex bank to ensure availability of the new notes as their livelihood depended on it.

In line with its policy direction, the CBN has stated that banks that dispense old naira notes with their automated teller machines in Cross River would be sanctioned.

The Branch Controller, CBN Calabar, Glory Iniunam, who stated this during a sensitisation drive across major markets in Calabar at the weekend, expressed worry that banks were still issuing old notes over the counter. Iniunam enjoined those with the old notes to take them back to the bank before the 31st of this month.

“What we are here for is to sensitize the people on the acceptance and the deadline for the new redesigned naira to let them know that as at 31January 2023 the old note will cease to be a legal tender and February 2, 2023 the new note will come to into being completely and we are not going to use the old notes anymore.

“Anyone that has the old notes should take them to the bank before 31st January 2023 and get the new notes. If you are going over the counter we are still giving the old notes the reason being that it is the ordinary people that use the ATMs and we want the money to get into circulation.

“You can still collect the old note from over the counter and use but before January 31, take it back to the bank and they must have received enough so they can give to you.

“If there is anybody dispensing old notes we are doing spot checks and are going to do another one today, tomorrow and by the weekend. Any ATM dispensing old notes we will make report and there are sanctions for them,” she said.

She explained that those in remote villages and communities without financial institutions across the state should come together and write to the bank so that POS agents will be mobilised to such areas.

According to her, the essence of the sensitization is to keep people informed on the new naira notes as well as the deadline for the use of the old notes.

In Bayelsa State, CBN took its sensitization campaign on the new currency notes to the Swali Ultra Modern Market, Yenagoa, with a declaration that the January 31 deadline for the old notes is sacrosanct.

 The Branch Controller, CBN, Yenagoa, Mr Francis Ene Asuquo, who commended the traders at the Swali market for coming out to attend the sensitization campaign said the choice of Swali market was very important to raise the awareness level of the traders on the need to take the old notes they collect from customers to the bank for the deadline.

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Asuquo who noted that the cashless policy had come to stay in Bayelsa explained that the redesign of the naira note is part of the implementation of the cashless policy.

“The change in our currency design is well timed as it seeks to discourage counterfeiting, money laundering, tackle inflation, and then enable the control of currency in circulation. Associated with this policy is the need to move from cash-based to cashless forms of payment channels, which are available, accessible and easy to use. So let us open bank accounts, have our BVN, and at the same time identify the features and benefits of our new redesigned currency notes.

“We must be cashless in line with international best practices. We want to encourage the use of electronic transactions of business by ATM, Internet transfer or through the POS.

“Part of the policy why the naira was redesigned is to discourage money laundering and kidnapping for ransom. CBN is changing the narrative by changing some of the monetary policy of the bank and making sure that people comply with it in order, to make sure the issue of fake notes is eliminated.”

He also noted that part of the policy is to make sure the money outside the banking system is brought back.

“We want to stop the abuse of our naira note either by spraying it during ceremonies or squeezing it or any other abuses. Anybody found spraying money in any ceremony will pay a fine of N50,000 or get six months imprisonment or both. It is also to stop the habit of selling money.

In her goodwill message, the officer in charge of Swali Ultra Modern Market in the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mrs Mildred Francis Egele, said the sensitization was very timely as it would enlighten the traders on how to differentiate a fake note from the real one.

“With this sensitization, everybody is aware that come 31st January 2023, the old note will no longer be in circulation.”

In Benue, the CBN introduced a cash swap programme to ensure rural access to the newly redesigned naira notes. The bank also stated that it has sustained its nationwide awareness/sensitization programmes, enforced speedy collection of the new notes at CBN branches by the Deposit Money Banks, (DMBs), and mandated issuance of the new notes through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to ensure distribution is fair, transparent and evenly spread across the country.

“In addition to these measures and in recognition of the need to maximise the channels through which underserved and rural communities can exchange their old naira notes, the bank is launching a cash swap programme in partnership with Super Agents & DMBs.”

The Director, Financial Markets Department, Angela Sere-Ejembi disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Makurdi yesterday.

She said the programme would enable citizens in rural areas or those with limited access to formal financial services to exchange old Naira notes for redesigned notes, adding that the initiative would take effect from tomorrow.

She explained “The old N1000, N500, N200 notes can be exchanged for the newly redesigned notes and/or the existing lower denominations; N100, N50 and N20, among others which remain legal tender.

“The agent shall exchange a maximum of N10,000 per person. Amounts above N10,000 may be treated as cash-in deposit into wallets or bank accounts in line with the cashless policy. BVN, NIN, or Voter’s card details of the customers should be captured as much as possible.”

She stated that the service would also be make available to anybody without a bank account saying agents may, on request, instantly open a wallet or account, leveraging the CBN Tiered KYC Framework.

“This will ensure that this category of the populace are able to exchange or deposit their cash seamlessly without taking unnecessary risk or incurring undue cost.

“Agents shall sensitize customers on opening wallets/bank accounts and the various channels for conducting electronic transactions. Designated agents are eligible to collect the redesigned notes from DMBs in line with the Revised Cash Withdrawal Limit policy.

“Agents are also permitted to charge cash-out fees for the cash swap transactions but prohibited from charging any further commissions to customers for this service.”

While urging stakeholders in Benue State to take advantage of the programme, Sere-Ejembi said cash swap agents will be readily identifiable in all local governments, particularly those in the rural areas while the CBN will continue to monitor implementation.

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

 

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

 

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

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The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

 

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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