…calls for public acceptance of e-Naira
By Akubulu Ngozi, Udesinanna Stephen
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has said that it will continue to introduce feasible innovations that will ensure that prices of goods and services are stabilised towards improving the nation’s economy.
The Apex Bank made this known through the Director of Corporate Communication, Dr Isa Abdulmumim during the 2023 CBN Fair, tagged, “promoting financial alternative payment channels as tools for financial inclusion in Nigeria”, held in Ado Ekiti today.
The Director, who was represented by a member of the National Bank Team Lead, Mr Esu Imo, noted that “The CBN will continue to deliver on its core mandates of ensuring monetary and price stability.
According to him, the digital currency (e naira) is a “big elephant in the house, adding that “Recent innovations in the Nigeria payments system, including the contactless payment (e-naira) are meant to drive payment for goods and services without having to physically touch the payment terminal.”
He also solicited the support and cooperation of everyone to partake in the CBN mission to push Nigeria to greatness.
Earlier, the Controller, CBN, Ado-Ekiti Branch, Alhaji Abdulwasiu Omotosho Abiola, during his welcome remark, called for the patronage of electronic naira (e-naira), saying that it is a better alternative payment channel.
He said, “Our chief product is e-naira. Whatever you do with the cryptocurrency, you can do with the e-naira, but the e-naira is not crypto; it is like the naira.”
He also emphasised that the Bank has other products and services in diverse sectors that include Agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, Healthcare and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), adding that Ekiti is part of the capital to benefit from CBN fair programmes.
Speaking on behalf of the Agriculture, Food Production And Security, Ekiti State, Olugbenga Odesanmo, who emphasised the efforts of the Ekiti state government attempt to achieve food safety by partnering with CBN and concerned bodies.
He said, “Ekiti state government is doing a lot to ensure food security by subsidising strategic products for farmers like fertiliser and seeds. We also digitalise our farming and partner with concern bodies like CBN.”
At the seminar, speaking for the CBN Payment System Management Department, Mr Clinton Chukwu advised that citizens should check the CBN website to verify licensed money mobile bank before adopting it, saying that “any mobile money service coming to Nigeria is verified by the CBN before commencing services, and the CBN is watching them.”
Speaking for CBN Costumer Protection Department, Chiyere Nwosu advised customers to be diplomatic in relating with commercial bank and emphasised that customer of any registered financial institutions could report banks that gives ill services by emailing the CBN.