January 17, (THEWILL) – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has commenced sensitisation of Heads of Federal Establishments in Akwa Ibom, on security features on the redesigned naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The CBN on Dec. 15, 2022, launched redesigned N200, N500 and N1000 Naira notes with multiple security features to the general public within Nigeria and other countries involved in financial transactions using the naira.
Mrs. Esther Peter, State Director of NOA, pointed out the features in her presentation at the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments meeting in Uyo, on Tuesday.
According to her, sensitisation became necessary so the Heads of Federal Establishments will further sensitise the grassroots for the general acceptance of the notes by citizens of the country.
She said the NOA would carry out an advocacy campaign to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths, students, market women associations etc.
Mrs. Peter added that the agency has commenced jingles on radio stations in the state in vernacular and pidgin, and that flyers would be distributed during the exercise to drive the message down to the grassroots.
“The policy is aimed at strengthening the economy and not targeted at any group of Nigerians as speculated.
“The sensitisation is intended to reach the people at the grassroots and keep them abreast of the government policies and programmes,” she explained
She called on residents to take the policy seriously and ensure that their old notes are deposited in their bank account as the N200, N500 and N1000 would cease to be legal tender from Jan. 31.
The State Director said that the sensitisation campaign would be taken to all the Local Government Areas for better understanding.
“For the policy to achieve the intended purposes and be accepted, residents, especially those at the grassroots, need to be sensitised, educated and mobilised for better understanding of government programmes.
“Citizens are to take their old N200, N500 and N1000 notes to the bank for lodgement. There will be no charge by banks on deposits above the threshold,” she stressed.
Mrs. Peter enumerated the benefits of the policy including; ensuring less excessive cash in circulation, reducing inflation, reducing expenditure on cash management and strengthening the economy among others.
She said NOA as the lead agency in propagating Federal Government policies and programmes, would not relent in keeping citizens abreast of what the government is doing to improve the living standards of Nigerians.
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