Do Not See Naira Redesign As Form Of Witch Hunt, Punishment — NOA To Nigerians

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians not to see the naira redesign as a form of witch hunt or punishment but as a way of improving the economy.

Olusegun Adeyemi, the Kwara Director of NOA, said this on Wednesday in Ilorin during a motorised campaign aimed at educating the residents on the acceptance of the new Naira notes and the deadline to deposit old notes.

He explained that the redesign of the Naira notes was not targeted at any individual or group but to curb counterfeiting and corruption among other things.

”Don’t read meanings to it nor see the policy as a form of witch-hunt or punishment, other than that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) trying to mop up old notes and give us new ones to improve our economy.

”Besides, a lot of the money is not in circulation, some people have stocked it up for one reason or the other, so with this policy, these monies will return to the bank.

”Therefore, we are urging us as citizens of the country to support the government to ensure that our economy is not only stable but that we have good and presentable notes.

”The old notes will cease to be a legal tender on Feb. 1, so the last date for deposit of old notes is Jan. 31,” Adeyemi said.

According to him, the new Naira notes have security features that make it difficult for anyone to produce its counterfeit.

The NOA boss added that the CBN is working assiduously to ensure that the new notes are taken to the nooks and crannies of the country.

The state Commissioner for Communication, Mr Sadiq Buhari, who declared the campaign opened, said the enlightenment was important to educate Nigerians on the importance of the policy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign was conducted at the Federal Secretariat, Maraba, Post Office, Challenge, Tanke and Fate areas of the Ilorin metropolis.