The sensitisation roadshow, held on Monday, was led by the Currency Operations and Branch Management Department of the apex bank.
The team visited Galadima Market, Sabon Gari Market, Yankaba Perishable Market, Abattoir Market, Tarauni Market and Yan Lemo Market, where traders were educated on how naira abuse shortens the lifespan of the notes.
Speaking at the market, the Deputy Director, Planning and Development Division, Ibrahim Yahaya, who represented the Director of Currency Operations and Branch Management, Dr. Adetona Adedeji, said the Federal Government spends huge amounts of money replacing mutilated notes.
He said the campaign was aimed at encouraging Nigerians to preserve the integrity of the naira.
“I am here on behalf of the Director and the entire management of the CBN to preach proper handling of the naira. The naira is the symbol of our sovereignty and our national pride. We must handle it carefully and effectively,” he said.
“When the naira is dirty, soiled or mutilated, the CBN has to replace it, and that costs a lot of money. If we handle it well, we will extend its lifespan and save the country money.”
To demonstrate the proper way of keeping the currency, the CBN officials distributed money purses to traders and showed them how to store notes neatly.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Galadima Market Association, Mustapha Shuaibu Sulaiman, thanked the CBN for taking the campaign to market people and pledged to sensitise his members.
He however called on the apex bank to stop commercial banks from pushing dirty and torn notes into circulation.
“We will carry this message to our members, but we want the CBN to warn commercial banks. They should stop issuing dilapidated currency to us. Most times when we collect money from banks, we have to remove the damaged ones ourselves,” he said.
Ahmad Sorondinki
