Naira: Our national identity, stop spraying it

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged all Nigerians to regard the Naira as a critical symbol of national identity that must be respected at all times by keeping it clean and avoiding its mutilation and counterfeiting.

This advice was given by Dr. Isa Abdulmumin, Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, during the CBN Fair on Thursday at the Reverton Hotel in Lokoja.

The fair aims to provide a forum for public interaction on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s policies and strategic actions for the country’s long-term economic development.

CBN reforms foreign exchange market operations

According to Dr. Abdulmumin, “The CBN will sustain its efforts towards ensuring the availability of Currency. We, however, urge you to see the naira as our critical symbol of National identity. Respect it and keep it clean. Do not spray, hawk, mutilate, or counterfeit the Naira.

“Let me assure you that the CBN will continue to ensure that it delivers on its core mandate of ensuring monetary and price stability.

“However, it is instructive to state that the Bank shall also continually roll out proactive and innovative policies that would ensure that all economic sub-sectors receive the desired support.

“The Bank, as a responsible and responsive corporate citizen, has continued to demonstrate its passionate commitment to supporting businesses and promoting diversification through arrays of interventions in agriculture, health, manufacturing, and other key sectors of the economy.

“The objectives of this engagement are, among others, to sensitise members of the public on how the Bank’s several initiatives can grow their businesses and contribute positively to the Nigerian economy, the efforts of the Bank in driving financial inclusion in the country, and ensuring that consumers of financial products are protected in Nigeria.

“While soliciting the support and cooperation of everyone to partake in our mission to return Nigeria to the path of greatness, we wish to crave your indulgence to be attentive as we sensitise you on the various modern payment infrastructures for ease of business transactions, your rights and responsibilities as it relates to your relationship with your banks, amongst others,” he added.

The Currency Operations Department also informed participants on how to keep the Naira clean and the CBN’s efforts to make the naira available to the populace.

Also, the Payments System Management Department presented recent innovations in the Nigerian payments system, including contactless payment, which is intended to drive payments for goods and services without having to physically touch the payment terminals.