Kogi Government Urges Citizens to Accept Old Naira Notes
Elizabeth Christopher and Ishaq Dan Imam
Officials of the Kogi State Government and other stakeholders in the financial sector have stormed the streets of Lokoja, the state’s capital to sensitise the people on the need to accept the old naira notes in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Addressing a large crowd of motorcyclists (popularly called Okada riders), and market women, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo congratulated Nigerians over the Supreme Court judgement, stating that the people can now use both the old and new naira notes together until December 31, 2023.
“We have met with the banks and they have agreed that they will accept old naira notes as deposits. So we urge all Okada riders, Keke riders and market men and women to accept the old naira notes.
“The State Government is grateful to the banks for their cooperation and commitment to the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. It is criminal to reject old naira notes after the judgement“, he said.
He further said the State Government will monitor compliance strictly.
In the same vein, the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd) harped on the need for Kogi people to cooperate with the State Government in her bid to ease the current financial strains occasioned by the current cash policy.
He added that his office will work with security agencies to ensure compliance.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning Idris Asiru said the banks are already accepting old notes as deposits, urging the people to take advantage of the cooperation of the banks.
He also said he has already gotten the commitment of the banks to load their ATM with old and new naira notes to ease the cash scarcity in the state.
The representatives of the major banks in Lokoja present at the sensitisation rally, also assured the people of the readiness of the banks to accept old naira notes as deposits.
They said the directive took effect on Monday morning, urging customers to freely accept old naira notes.
The sensitisation train visited all transport unions, fuel stations and major markets in Lokoja.
They also assured the people of sustained sensitisation on radio and other media of communication.
