Binta Nuan
Olusegun Oyenibi
The Central Bank Of Nigeria, CBN, says the 31st of January deadline for the exchange/swapping of the old naira notes for the redesigned ones remains sacrosanct.
CBN Director, Strategy Management Department, Abuja, Mr Clement Oluranti Buari stated this when he led his team on sensitization and advocacy visits to the West Senatorial District of Kogi State.
Speaking at the palace of Elulu of Mopa, Mr Buari said the visit became imperative given the deadline by the Apex bank to Nigerians to swap the redesigned Naira Notes for new ones.
He solicited the support of the traditional ruler and his subjects in achieving set goals stressing that a thousand four hundred banking agents have been duly engaged to facilitate the exercise across the State for swapping the old notes for new notes at zero cost.
According to him, the Bank is doing its possible best to make the exchange seamless for Nigerians as the licensed Money Agents across Kogi State are to focus on the current cash swap exercise, especially with the unbanked population in thirteen LGAs of the State where there is neither bank nor ATM services.
In a remark, the Elulu of Mopa, Oba Julius Olufunsho Joledo assured the CBN Team of the cooperation of his people.
In a remark, One-time Acting Governor of Kogi State and a Chieftaincy title holder in Mopa, Chief Clarence Olafemi appealed for an extension of the exercise given the lack of banking facilities in the area.
At the palace of Olu-Adde of Ekinrin Adde, the CBN Director urged the traditional institution to embrace the cashless policy of the CBN which he stressed was fashionable and durable.
Mr Buari said an E-Wallet account would be opened for those without bank account numbers even as plans are on the way to bring about the establishment of a bank or ATM points in the community.
According to him, the ongoing advocacy will continue until the people are financially included as the money agents he stressed are likewise being engaged to mop up the old notes for the new ones .
The Olu-Adde of Ekinrin Adde, His Royal Majesty, Oba Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu expressed the unflinching support of the people to the swapping exercise of the old notes with the new ones and charged the people to embrace it and cooperate with officials of the CBN.
He said the benefits of the policy are quite enormous and will continue to support the effective implementation of the monetary policy that’ll ensure price and financial system stability.
Speaking on the exercise, some of the Agents handling the swapping of the notes in Mopa and Ekinrin Adde and other places visited expressed appreciation to the team for bringing the new notes to them and called for an extension of the deadline to pave way for more of the rural dwellers who lack access to any financial institutions within their reach participate in the exercise.
Highlights of the sensitization were the swapping of old naira notes with new ones through registered agents of the Banks and attending to complaints by them as well as the people.
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